Rudd government budget impacts on women

Some aspects of the Rudd government’s first budget will have a significantly greater impact on women than on men.

This is because in Australia, women are more likely to be out of the labour force than men, have a greater share of responsibility for family care and unpaid work, earn less money than men, and are less likely to have accrued savings for retirement due to broken employment patterns. 

They also live longer than men, and therefore more likely to need residential care as they age.

NFAW Vice-President, Jenni Colwill, said “NFAW welcomes the government’s attempts to provide policies to enhance women’s ability to balance work and family, and to provide women greater economic security.” 

“Policies such as the increased availability of childcare centres in more accessible sites (in schools, universities, TAFEs and other community land), increasing the number of child care places and increasing the Child Care Tax Rebate will help working mothers.”

“We also welcome the broadening of the education and training places for people who are currently outside the workforce.   This will help women moving off welfare to gain the qualifications they need to get a better paying job.”

“We look forward to further measures to encourage family-friendly workplace arrangements in the future, such as the introduction of a sensible system of paid maternity leave and a comprehensive action plan to improve pay equity.”

Media inquiries to:

Jenni Colwill, NFAW on 02 6238 3421