Question Time AU

General Debate

Women's Budget Statement

House of Representatives · Thursday 25 June 2026

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

At a glance

Members of the Australian Labor Party spoke in support of the Women's Budget Statement, highlighting its role in ensuring budget decisions account for gender impacts. They detailed measures to reduce tax burdens, strengthen the child support system against financial abuse, and improve access to healthcare and housing for women. The speakers emphasised that these reforms address systemic inequalities and provide practical relief for families. Both members commended the government for prioritising gender-responsive budgeting and improving outcomes for women and girls.

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

How the debate unfolded

Opened the debate

Trish Cook (Bullwinkel) (Australian Labor Party) ALP

Cook argued that the Women's Budget Statement ensures economic policies are tested for their impact on women, promoting gender equality. Cook highlighted tax cuts, including a new $1,000 instant deduction and a working Australians tax offset, which would benefit the average worker by approximately $3,000. Cook noted improvements in women's earnings and Australia's international gender equality ranking, which rose from 43rd to 13th. Cook detailed investments of $183 million to reform the child support system and $59.4 million for community housing for young people at risk of homelessness. Additionally, she mentioned a $2 billion investment in Medicare and $2.7 million for long-acting reversible contraceptives to improve women's health access.