QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Mr ALBANESE (Grayndler—Prime Minister) (14:05): I thank the remarkable member for Reid for that question. Now, for the first time ever, Australia has broken into the top 10 global rankings for gender equality. When we came to government, we were ranked 43 out of 148 countries.

Today we are eighth. That is what delivering real change looks like. And it didn't happen by accident.

It happened because, for us, women's equality is not an add-on or an afterthought. It's right at the heart of everything that we do, including the largest-ever women's health package in Australian history. Just today I met some fantastic women, including Katie, who are benefiting from a new breast cancer drug listed on the PBS which, instead of costing $1,370 a script, will cost just $25.

One million women have accessed cheaper medicines for endo and for contraceptives. This has led to direct savings for them of some $150 million. Our 33 endo and pelvic pain clinics are now open along with the 137 urgent care clinics.

And of course we're backing women's economic empowerment: paid parental leave, at a full six months, with super paid on top; growing and protecting wages, especially in those feminised industries that have been undervalued, like aged care and child care; and free TAFE and paid prac for 14 professions, including nursing and social work. There is more to do; the scourge of family, domestic and sexual violence against women and girls is unacceptable.

Together we're working towards the second National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children, and we'll continue to take action. That is a focus for our government. Whether it's in our caucus room or around the cabinet table, for the first time, women are in a majority in both of those places, because Labor does reflect modern Australia—our people, our ambition and our aspiration.

And our diversity is absolutely a strength. We're proud of that and we're especially proud of what we've achieved together for Australian women.