Jana Stewart (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Finance and Minister for Women, Senator Gallagher. On Tuesday, the Albanese Labor government delivered its fifth Women's Budget Statement, which showed gender equality remains central to this government's economic agenda. What are the priorities—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Stewart, I'm very sorry. Senator McKenzie, cease, or I will invite you to leave the chamber.

Jana Stewart (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

What are the priorities in this year's statement, and how will measures to improve gender outcomes make a practical difference for Australian women?

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Stewart for the question and for her continuing interest in driving gender equality through the budget process. This government continues with that work in this budget. The Women's Budget Statement outlines the impact that budget measures have on women—backed by gender-responsive budgeting. We believe gender quality belongs at the centre of economic decision-making, not on the sidelines. This is our fifth Women's Budget Statement, the first of this term, and it reports on the significant progress we have made since 2022.

In relation to specific measures in the budget, this budget includes $182.6 million for the most significant child support reforms in nearly 20 years, including historic changes to reduce the weaponisation of the system and protect women from financial abuse. It also continues significant investment under the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children, including investments for funding Our Ways—Strong Ways, the first ever First Nations safety plan. Investment in the National Safety Plan now sits at more than $4.4 billion since 2022.

In relation to economic security, a woman on an average of $81,000 could be nearly $3,000 a year better off from 2027-28, including from the new Working Australians Tax Offset, which will benefit 6.3 million women, and also the Instant Tax Deduction Benefit, which will benefit around 6.2 million women, or 54 per cent of beneficiaries. This budget includes major investments in aged care and continued investment in Medicare, mental health, reproductive and maternal health, and menopause services and other services, including the ongoing funding of the Medicare urgent care clinics, which women are using at high rates.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senate Stewart, first supplementary.

Jana Stewart (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Minister, for that response. Since 2022 the Albanese Labor government has invested over $4.4 billion to end violence against women, expanded paid parental leave, delivered cheaper child care, backed fairer wages in female dominated sectors, and invested in women's health. How does this budget build on those reforms to lock in lasting progress for women and families?

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senate Stewart for the supplementary. Creating greater opportunity for women is at the centre of our economic agenda and, as Senator Stewart outlined, we have delivered sustained reforms, and the results are clear. Over one million families are benefiting from cheaper child care. Eligible families with a baby born or adopted from 1 July this year will get the full benefit of six months of paid parental leave, and super will be paid on paid parental leave as well.

Since January 2023, women have saved more than $647 million on medicines through reduced PBS prices and expanded PBS listings for contraception and menopause treatment. Our historic women's health package is incredibly successful. We know that 71,000 women have undertaken menopause assessment and consultations and that women have saved more than $106 million, I think the figure is, from the new listings of contraceptives and menopause treatment. (Time expired)

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Stewart, second supplementary.

Jana Stewart (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Minister. Since 2022, women's labour force participation has reached a record high, the gender pay gap is at its lowest level on record and Australia has risen to 13th globally on gender equality. What does that progress say about the difference it makes when gender equality is treated as a core economic priority and not an afterthought?

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senate Stewart for that question. As Senate Stewart has outlined, Australia has increased its international gender equality ranking from the 43rd when we came to government 13th in the last reporting period. The gender pay gap is at a record low. Women are earning almost $300 more per week, with a big reason behind that being our investments in those undervalued and underpaid occupations of aged care and early education and care. Women's participation rate is up. Women's employment is up. We've got paid parental leave moving to six months, and super on PPL.

This budget is proof, and when you see it in conjunction with the budgets that have come before it, it is dealing with the structural issues that had been left for way too long. The women of Australia were over it. We are dealing with these issues one by one and improving the lives of women across the country.