Bill Debate · Second Reading
Senate · Tuesday 25 March 2025
Continued from Thursday 13 February 2025.
Official Hansard for this day (APH) · Read this debate on OpenAustralia
The Senate debated the Workplace Gender Equality Amendment (Setting Gender Equality Targets) Bill 2024, which aims to require large employers to set measurable gender equality targets. The Greens supported the bill but proposed amendments to lower the employee threshold and strengthen contract conditions, while Labor defended the legislation as a vital step toward workplace equality. The debate was interrupted before a vote could be taken.
The debate was interrupted and the sitting was suspended, preventing a conclusion to the second reading.
Summary in reported speech - not a transcript. AI-generated, so check the official record before quoting.
Continued the debate
Waters supported the bill as a positive step but argued it did not go far enough. Waters proposed three amendments to reduce the employer threshold from 500 to 100 workers, mandate specific targets for closing the gender pay gap, and bar employers with persistent pay gaps from receiving government contracts. Waters criticised the Coalition for opposing the bill and highlighted their record on women's rights and diversity initiatives.
Walsh argued that gender equality is fundamental to the economy and society, highlighting the government's commitment to impactful reforms. Walsh described the bill as a world-first targets scheme designed to accelerate action by requiring organisations with 500 or more employees to set transparent goals for reducing the pay gap and improving leadership diversity.