Labor leader Anthony Albanese has pledged a national gender equality strategy if he is successful in winning the prime ministership at the upcoming May election.
Delivering a speech at Labor's women's budget statement on Thursday morning, Mr Albanese slammed the Coalition on equal pay, saying nine years of inaction had led to Australia sliding from 12th in the world for pay parity to a record low of 50th.
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The quoted figures were from the United Nations' gender pay index.
"With a better government, we can be an even better country," Mr Albanese said.
"Part of that is moving on gender equality."
Shadow minister for women Tanya Plibersek said the Coalition's economic architecture deliberately kept wages low, which was a contributing factor to the gender pay gap.
"We're never going to improve economic conditions for women while the government wants to see low wages," she said.
Labor said it would seek to implement a women's economic security taskforce to assist in policy decisions which invested in bridging the pay gap if it won the election.
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It also said it would invest in implementing paid domestic violence leave, more social housing dedicated to women fleeing violence and more staffing for crisis services.
The federal government in its budget on Tuesday announced it would extend paid parental leave for single parents by two weeks.
Ms Plibersek noted this was a positive step forward but described it as "tiny changes around the edges rather than anything that would substantially improve paid parental leave for working women".
Mr Albanese reaffirmed Labor's commitment to decreasing the cost of childcare, arguing early education needed to be addressed to boost the participation rate in the workforce.
He said current costs were coming at the expense of the ability of women to save for retirement.
"It's about workforce participation," Mr Albanese said.
"It's about lifting productivity. It's also about giving the youngest Australians the best start in life and the opportunity that comes from early learning."
During the statement, Labor committed to implementing every single recommendation of the Jenkins review.
Gerard Cockburn
Olivia Ireland
Olivia is a reporter for the Canberra Times. She has covered local news, arts, education and business and is beginning her rotation with Federal Politics. Olivia started as an intern in August 2021 and began her career with the Times after completing her studies in November 2021.
Olivia is a reporter for the Canberra Times. She has covered local news, arts, education and business and is beginning her rotation with Federal Politics. Olivia started as an intern in August 2021 and began her career with the Times after completing her studies in November 2021.
