Women's Budget Statement

Garland welcomed the Women's Budget Statement, noting that women's labour force participation had reached a record high and the gender pay gap had fallen to 11.5 per cent. Garland highlighted government investments in cheaper childcare, expanded paid parental leave, and support for aged care workers. Garland emphasised the importance of addressing gender-based violence, citing over $4.4 billion invested in the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children. Garland also pointed to improvements in women's health outcomes, including access to contraceptives and menopause support.

Steggall argued that the budget was underwhelming, failing to address the scale of challenges such as the gender pay gap and unpaid care. Steggall commended the $182.6 million investment in child support reforms but criticised the lack of gender analysis for NDIS reforms and the omission of climate change impacts. Steggall called for increased funding for frontline domestic violence services, noting that current funding was insufficient given the economic cost of violence. Steggall urged the government to establish a royal commission into domestic violence to ensure accountability and implement outstanding recommendations.

Roberts praised the budget for acknowledging the realities of women's lives, particularly in fast-growing communities like Pearce. Roberts highlighted the three-day childcare guarantee and expanded paid parental leave as key measures supporting workforce participation. Roberts emphasised the importance of investments in women's safety and health, including support for cervical cancer treatment and perinatal mental health screening. Roberts acknowledged the ongoing challenges women face, such as the gender pay gap and housing stress, but celebrated the progress made through sustained advocacy.

Jarrett highlighted the restoration of the Women's Budget Statement and the government's commitment to gender equality as a core economic priority. Jarrett noted improvements in women's earnings and international gender equality rankings. Jarrett detailed investments in childcare, paid parental leave, and superannuation reforms to address the retirement income gap. Jarrett also emphasised the government's response to domestic violence, including the Leaving Violence Program, and improvements in women's health access, such as cheaper contraceptives and menopause therapies.

Campbell argued that the Women's Budget Statement was a tool for meaningful action and measurable outcomes, focusing on five key priority areas. Campbell highlighted the impact of cheaper childcare and the three-day guarantee on women's workforce participation. Campbell noted wage increases in feminised sectors and tax cuts benefiting millions of women. Campbell emphasised the importance of transparency in gender pay gaps and accountability in achieving equality.

Coffey discussed the practical support provided by the budget, including tax cuts and the working Australians tax offset. Coffey highlighted investments in childcare, paid parental leave, and women's health, including the women's health package and perinatal mental health centres. Coffey emphasised the government's commitment to ending violence against women, citing investments in the National Plan and First Nations-led strategies. Coffey noted the importance of women's representation in government for shaping equitable policies.

Ryan emphasised the importance of setting targets to achieve gender equity, citing improvements in women's earnings and childcare access. Ryan highlighted superannuation reforms and investments in women's health, including endometriosis clinics. Ryan noted the government's response to domestic violence, including paid leave and legal support schemes. Ryan called for continued measurement of progress on the gender pay gap, superannuation, and asset gaps.

Jordan-Baird highlighted the government's focus on women's health, including access to contraceptives and menopause therapies. Jordan-Baird noted the expansion of paid parental leave and childcare support to reduce the burden of unpaid care. Jordan-Baird emphasised the government's investment in ending violence against women and reforms to the child support system. Jordan-Baird argued that having women in decision-making roles led to better outcomes for everyone.

Cook highlighted improvements in women's workforce participation and earnings, attributing these to deliberate government policy. Cook detailed tax relief measures and investments in ending violence against women, including the Leaving Violence Program and frontline worker support. Cook emphasised the government's response to the disproportionate burden of violence on First Nations women and improvements in women's health access. Cook noted reforms to paid parental leave and superannuation to address the retirement income gap.

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Belyea argued that women's safety must be a central budget priority, citing $4 billion invested in addressing gender-based violence and $800 million in women's health. Belyea detailed reforms to the child support system, including $183 million to address unpaid debt and financial abuse, noting that women comprise 83 per cent of recipients. Belyea emphasised housing security as fundamental to safety, pointing to $59.4 million for community housing and broader investments in social and affordable homes. Belyea also highlighted improvements in women's health access, workforce participation, and the reduction of the gender pay gap. Belyea asserted that gender-responsive budgeting ensures policies are tested for their impact on women, reflecting the government's majority female composition.