Question Time AU

General Debate

Women's Budget Statement

House of Representatives · Thursday 14 May 2026

Official Hansard for this day (APH) · Read this debate on OpenAustralia

At a glance

The debate focused on the government's Women's Budget Statement, with the Labor member highlighting investments in tax relief, childcare, child support reforms, and gender-based violence prevention. The National Party member criticised the lack of urgent care clinics in regional areas, specifically citing the electorate of Lyne. The discussion contrasted national policy achievements with local service delivery gaps in regional New South Wales.

Summary in reported speech - not a transcript. AI-generated, so check the official record before quoting.

How the debate unfolded

Opened the debate

Louise Miller-Frost (Boothby) (Australian Labor Party) ALP

Miller-Frost argued that the budget addressed ongoing disadvantages faced by women through gender-responsive budgeting measures. Miller-Frost highlighted tax cuts that would benefit 6.3 million women, alongside increased funding for early childhood education and extended paid parental leave. The member detailed reforms to the child support system to prevent abuse and investments in housing and legal assistance for victims of gender-based violence. Miller-Frost also noted record investments in women's health, including cheaper medicines and contraceptives, and cited improvements in workplace participation and the gender pay gap since 2022.