16       Women— Women’s economic security

Senator Urquhart, at the request of Senator McAllister and pursuant to notice of motion not objected to as a formal motion, moved general business notice of motion no. 635—That the Senate—

(a)              notes that:

(i)                    the COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted women’s economic security:

(A)                 in April over half a million Australians lost their jobs, of which 55% were women,

(B)                 women’s underemployment ratio now sits at an unprecedented 16%, compared to 14% for men, and

(C)                 modelling has estimated that more than 200,000 women casual workers in the accommodation, food services and retail trade sectors alone will miss out on the JobKeeper wage subsidy,

(ii)                  women typically retire with half the superannuation balance of men and, if they choose to withdraw funds, women will suffer a significantly greater impact on their retirement income than men,

(iii)                Australian women have been on the frontline of the COVID-19 crisis in Australia in underpaid and undervalued roles:

(A)                 women account for 87% of registered nurses and midwives,

(B)                 women account for 87%of aged care workers, and 

(C)                 women account for 96%of early childhood educators, and

(iv)                as a result of COVID-19, mothers are spending an extra hour each day on unpaid housework and four extra hours on childcare; and 

(b)              calls on the Morrison Government to recognise that women have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 crisis and address women’s interests in their recovery plans.

Statement by leave : The Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries (Senator Duniam), by leave, made a statement relating to the motion.

Question put and passed.