3 years ago
GENDER PAY GAP STAGNANT UNDER THE LIBERALS
Julie Collins MP
Today’s ABS data confirms progress on the gender pay gap continues to stagnate under the Liberals with women being left behind by the Morrison Government.
After almost seven years of government it is clear the Liberals have not done enough to ensure Australians are paid equally in the workplace.
Today’s ABS data reveals the gap has increased to 14 per cent, with women earning $253.60 a week less than men. This is an increase of $10.70 a week since the November data.
Day after day we see new evidence of the disproportionate impact COVID-19 is having on Australian women, but in response this Government fails to act.
Australian women are being left out and left behind by the Morrison Government. Between February and July far more Australian women lost jobs and female workforce participation has dropped by 1.5 per cent.
The Liberals just don’t get it - last year the Treasurer claimed in Question Time the gender pay gap had ‘closed’. In June, the Minister representing the Minister for Women said during the Matter of Public Importance that ‘what you hear from the opposition is this long, ongoing, bleak, dreary narrative about entrenched disadvantage. And, you know, it's just so last century.’
Scott Morrison promised an update of the Government’s Women’s Economic Security Statement in June but is yet to deliver. The 2018 Statement did not include a plan to close the gender pay gap.
The Morrison Government must put forward a genuine reform agenda that includes addressing job losses in industries dominated by females, the gender pay gap, Australian women’s shrinking super balances, and address the discrimination that is fuelling these issues.
As a result of COVID-19, mothers are spending an extra hour each day on unpaid housework and four extra hours on childcare. There must also be a serious look at how government can help fix attitudes that contribute to women taking on the majority of unpaid caring responsibilities and work in Australian households.
The Morrison Government must do more to ensure Australian women are not worse off in the workplace and in the aftermath of the COVID-19 crisis.
After almost seven years of government it is clear the Liberals have not done enough to ensure Australians are paid equally in the workplace.
Today’s ABS data reveals the gap has increased to 14 per cent, with women earning $253.60 a week less than men. This is an increase of $10.70 a week since the November data.
Day after day we see new evidence of the disproportionate impact COVID-19 is having on Australian women, but in response this Government fails to act.
Australian women are being left out and left behind by the Morrison Government. Between February and July far more Australian women lost jobs and female workforce participation has dropped by 1.5 per cent.
The Liberals just don’t get it - last year the Treasurer claimed in Question Time the gender pay gap had ‘closed’. In June, the Minister representing the Minister for Women said during the Matter of Public Importance that ‘what you hear from the opposition is this long, ongoing, bleak, dreary narrative about entrenched disadvantage. And, you know, it's just so last century.’
Scott Morrison promised an update of the Government’s Women’s Economic Security Statement in June but is yet to deliver. The 2018 Statement did not include a plan to close the gender pay gap.
The Morrison Government must put forward a genuine reform agenda that includes addressing job losses in industries dominated by females, the gender pay gap, Australian women’s shrinking super balances, and address the discrimination that is fuelling these issues.
As a result of COVID-19, mothers are spending an extra hour each day on unpaid housework and four extra hours on childcare. There must also be a serious look at how government can help fix attitudes that contribute to women taking on the majority of unpaid caring responsibilities and work in Australian households.
The Morrison Government must do more to ensure Australian women are not worse off in the workplace and in the aftermath of the COVID-19 crisis.