Women are set to benefit from the Coalition’s big spending budget, with $2.1 billion in further funding for women’s safety and health, and changes to make paid parental leave more flexible. The Coalition is also highlighting the record workforce participation rates for women, in line with the low levels of unemployment more generally.
But with the National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children still being finalised, and large announcements from last year not due till after the election, it’s still not quite clear what changes women can expect to see.
What’s in the budget
Much of the investment is intended to contribute to the implementation of this National Plan, set to be delivered across a decade from 2022-32. The plan is still being finalised with the states and territories, meaning details are light for now.
What the 2022-23 budget does say is that approximately $1.3 billion of the overall figure committed to women’s safety is split broadly between response support, prevention, early intervention and recovery. This spending will support frontline services, emergency accommodation and access to legal and health services.
Another $330.6 million is committed to health outcomes, including maternal, sexual and reproductive health, including $58.3 million to support women with endometriosis and pelvic pain.
Included in the efforts to enhance women’s economic security are changes to paid parental leave. The move is designed to expand eligibility and give more choices to families as to how to use parental leave. Single parents will be able to access all 20 weeks of leave for the first time.
A bit of context
After a 2020 budget that underdelivered for women, the 2021 budget had some catching up to do. That looked like a $3.4 billion investment to a range of measures aimed at supporting women and girls, and the reintroduction of the women’s budget statement, which had previously been dumped by then-minister for women Tony Abbott. While not reaching last year’s numbers, this year’s budget is being touted as a continuation of last year’s announcements, with a further $2.1 billion towards largely the same initiatives.
Notably, many of the 2020 budget announcements, including the $1.7 billion childcare package designed to support participation in the workplace, won’t be rolled out until after the 2022 election. As such, women are yet to enjoy the effects of many announcements made over the past few years.
What’s missing from the budget
There is little additional funding in the budget to deal with rising costs of childcare, one of the key cost-of-living struggles for parents. There’s been no further additions to last year’s childcare package, which Labor criticised as falling short. With childcare costs continuing to inhibit working parents, many are calling for a complete overhaul of the system.
COVID recovery for female-led industries also did not receive any particular attention, even though women-dominated industries — including retail, tourism and health — have been hit hardest by the pandemic. Industry experts have said capital grants would make a significant difference in many of these industries.
If you or someone you know is affected by sexual assault or violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au.
Dickensian workhouses ; dont pay those who are lower down the food chain; dont share cause that is not encouraging self determinism or such sweeping generalisations except when it comes to the labelled unemployed both not working: women due unpaid rearing of next generation ( he said have one for you and one for the country that was babies 10 years back wasn’t it?) Now no it is your choice girls; you pay for domestic labor, do indentured work for the dole when you’re labelled “jobseeker” not “jobkeeper” ; unless you are the ladies in the minority getting the double pay out..Oh and what about so-called self determinism; who figured that business posting profits due to pandemic should get free public money into the billions…Billions.. sold off our land, infrastructure and not even to keep the resources ownership here. I am glad at least a few sell offs of the dairy industries were stopped.But the trickle down economic model results in the bulk not sharing; fact the middle class and home ownership have decreased for the so-called “youth lobbyists” who btw created Charity.. Bur indeed are lobbying for big multinational shared ownership of our research dollars, our resources, ..who is at the bottom women ; older women at the prime of working lives are thrown out and labelled “karen and only fit to be kicking posts and desperate and what about indigenous owners- the big boys simply blow up heritage and culture.. simpletons with black and white ignorance of basic economics policy 101; we cant compete against multinational syndicates buying not 1 negatively geared property; no cause these PACMeN are buying up all due to the joke international investment openings.. Port least resistance anyone who was the moron who leased that for 100 years – they are are joke this sort of dumb cartel mentality is rampant and Aussies are gonna turn unless they import enough voters who see this as normal part of class systems and see all as just dog eat dog
Always plenty of money fof subs and jets for the boys. The women can run a raffle or a cake drive if they want anything. Might have been different if Jen needed childcare to keep working.