TANYA PLIBERSEK MP 
SHADOW MINISTER FOR EDUCATION
SHADOW MINISTER FOR WOMEN
MEMBER FOR SYDNEY
 
LINDA BURNEY MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR FAMILIES AND SOCIAL SERVICES
SHADOW MINISTER FOR INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS
MEMBER FOR BARTON

SENATOR JENNY MCALLISTER
SHADOW CABINET SECRETARY
SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER TO THE LABOR LEADER IN THE SENATE
SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR COMMUNITIES AND THE PREVENTION OF FAMILY VIOLENCE
SENATOR FOR NEW SOUTH WALES


AUSTRALIAN WOMEN FALL BEHIND AFTER EIGHT LONG YEARS OF THE LIBERALS
 

The Liberals are using their eighth Budget to fake they care about Australian women when they’ve ignored them in the last seven.

Much of the funding is simply the continuation of existing programs and services. The Government doesn’t deserve a pat on the back for stopping its own cuts. 
 
It also remains to be seen whether Scott Morrison will actually deliver anything he announced in last night’s Budget, given he never does what he promises. 
 
This is a MorrisonKeeper Budget, designed to fix political problems that the Prime Minister has created. 
 
After eight long years of the Liberals, Australian women have fallen behind.                                                                                               
Since 2013, the Liberals have cut women’s pay and working conditions. They’ve cut family benefits, child care, schools and Medicare. And they’ve tried to make women in crisis drain their own superannuation accounts to be able to escape a violent relationship.
 
Scott Morrison wants everyone to believe he’s serious about women’s health. But just last year Mr Morrison said the lack of maternity services in country towns could be fixed by building better roads to city hospitals. 
 
Scott Morrison wants everyone to believe he’s serious about supporting victims of domestic violence. But for eight years, his Government has ignored and neglected women’s safety. Now they are desperately playing catch up. 
 
Since coming to office, the Liberals have spent about as much on government advertising as they have helping to stop family violence. 
 
Australia has slipped 26 places in the World Economic Forum’s gender ranking since the Liberals came to office. We are now in 50th place worldwide – the worst result ever. 
  
Australian women want action from their government, not just words. 

Australian women want real leadership. They are not getting that from Scott Morrison, but they will with Labor. 
 
Women want a government that’s on their side. That’s what Labor will deliver with:

• A drive to close the gender pay gap and increase pay for women workers, particularly in caring jobs;
• A guaranteed 12 per cent superannuation and a more secure, dignified retirement for Australian women; 
• Cheaper child care for Australian families; and
• Ten days of paid leave for women fleeing violence.