MATTERS OF URGENCY

Senator STEWART (Victoria) (16:13): I rise to oppose this motion. Australians expect us to focus on issues that matter. They expect us to spend our time discussing real challenges facing households and communities, not engaging in the political theatre that we've seen in this parliament over the last couple of weeks.

But, if those opposite want to talk about women, I am more than happy to talk about this government's record. When it comes to women's safety, women's economic security and women's health, this government has delivered reforms that make a real difference in people's lives. Women's safety sits at the absolute top of our priorities.

Since 2022, we have committed more than $4 billion to the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children, including support for 1800RESPECT, frontline services and the first dedicated First Nations plan to end violence. We have legislated 10 days of paid domestic and family violence leave. We've invested in child support reform.

We've delivered $3.9 billion in new funding for legal assistance services. We implemented every recommendation of the Respect@Work report. Senator Ruston asked what standard we are setting.

That is the standard we are setting. We are investing in women and the things that keep them safe. These aren't slogans.

These are practical reforms that improve safety, support and justice for women across our country. We've also strengthened women's economic security. We've cut the gender pay gap to a record low.

Nearly 700,000 more women are in work today thanks to the Albanese Labor government. Women's workforce participation remains near record highs. Paid parental leave is now six months.

We are paying superannuation on paid parental leave, which was precisely zero per cent under those opposite. It is now 12 per cent under us. We've introduced a three-day childcare guarantee.

We have delivered more than $24 billion in wage rises for aged-care and early childhood workers, which are workforces that are overwhelmingly made up of women, the last time that I checked. When women earn more, save more and retire with more security, that is not an accident. It is the result of deliberate policy decisions that this government has acted on and delivered.

We have also invested $792 million into women's health. We have opened 33 endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics, expanded menopause care and listed the first new contraceptive and menopause therapies on the PBS in decades. More than 900,000 women have already benefited, saving more than $149 million across millions of PBS prescriptions.

This type of investment in women's health was just not happening under the former, coalition government. It is therefore quite extraordinary to hear those opposite come into this chamber and try to lecture us about women at all, because, when Australians compare the records, the contrast could not be clearer. Under the former government, there were zero days of paid domestic and family violence leave, there was zero superannuation on paid parental leave, there was zero childcare guarantee and there was no national gender equality strategy.

Gender-responsive budgeting was abandoned. There were fewer women in full-time work and fewer women represented in this place. The difference is simple: this government has acted, this government has delivered and this government has invested in women.

That is the difference between a government focused on outcomes and an opposition focused on headlines. While those opposite are focused on political stunts, Australians are focused on something else entirely, and that is the cost of living. They want politicians talking about household budgets.

They want politicians talking about wages. They want politicians talking about health care, education and making life easier for families. Instead, those opposite have brought forward a motion that changes nothing and helps precisely no-one.

While they focus on distractions, the Albanese Labor government is getting on with the job. We've cut taxes. We've done an instant tax deduction.

Minimum- and award-wage earners have received a pay rise. Paid parental leave has been expanded to six months. Medicare urgent care clinics have become a permanent part of Medicare.

This government is delivering for women.