Today, the Workplace Gender Equality Agency's (WGEA) latest data reveals that Australian women earn an average of $28,425 less per year than men. Women are making just 78 cents for every dollar earned by men, with 72.2% of employers having a gender pay gap favouring men.
This persistent pay disparity not only undermines women's financial security but also exacerbates issues such as retirement poverty and housing insecurity.
In light of the upcoming federal election looking to produce a minority government, Labor should work with the Greens on decisive action to close the gender pay gap and protect women's rights in the workplace.
Failure to do so risks a potential government led by Mr Dutton and the LNP, whose track record on women speaks for itself.
As stated by Senator Larissa Waters, Greens Leader in the Senate and spokesperson on Women:
"The latest WGEA data is a stark reminder that women continue to be undervalued and underpaid in our society. With an election looming, it is imperative that the Labor acts now to implement robust measures to close the gender pay gap. We cannot afford a Dutton-led government that has consistently failed to prioritise women's rights and workplace equality.
"The Greens have long advocated for legislated wage increases in female-dominated industries, such as teaching, nursing, and early childhood education. These sectors are critical to our society, yet workers are leaving due to inadequate pay. It's time to pay women what they deserve and ensure their economic security.
"We also call on the government to mandate that all businesses with more than 100 employees take concrete steps to close their gender pay gaps. Transparency is not enough; we need action. Additionally, government contracts and tenders should only be awarded to companies that are actively working towards pay equity.
"The gender pay gap leads to a gap in retirement income, with women retiring into poverty after a lifetime of care and underpaid work. We know the fastest-growing cohort of homelessness was women over 55, and recently the age of that cohort has reportedly gotten younger as more and more women get left behind.
"Waiting 50 more years for pay equity is not a fair deal for women-we need the government to prioritise paying women fairly in what is already a cost-of-living crisis.
"A few weeks ago we saw the Liberals, with support from some crossbenchers, vote against fast tracking a bill to that would require businesses with a gender pay gap to do something to close it.
"The only way to make sure we keep a Dutton led LNP government from making things for working women harder is a Labor minority government supported by the Greens. The women of Australia deserve nothing less."
