QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator WONG (South Australia—Minister for Foreign Affairs and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:21): When we came to government, I think we were ranked 43rd in the world when it comes to gender equality. We're now ranked eighth, and that is because of the commitment on this side of the chamber and particularly the work of Senator Gallagher to try to improve equity in this country, because we are about fairness.

No amount of political rhetoric will change that. You may have a different view. We happen to think that improving wages, particularly for women and workers in the care economy, is a progressive thing to do.

Advocating for increases in the minimum wage is a progressive thing to do. Ensuring that we improve access to prescription medicine is a progressive thing to do. We will continue to do this because we believe in equity and fairness.