2009 Women’s Budget Statement
A message from the Minister for the Status of Women
The 2009-10 Women’s Budget Statement takes the theme Supporting Women in a Time of Economic Challenge.
Economies across the world are experiencing one of the most significant economic downturns since the Great Depression.
Improving women’s economic and social outcomes is important to developing a stronger and more robust economy.
Australian women contribute to the nation in many ways, through their work in the labour market, their leadership in and support for their communities, and in their caring roles. Although women’s paid and unpaid work has been integral to our nation’s wealth, it is still too often unrecognised and unrewarded.
The 2009-10 Budget contains great news for Australian women. In particular, younger women of working age, older women, carers and women with disability all share in key Budget measures that will improve their lives now and into the future. The 2009-10 Budget will strongly support women in contributing to Australia’s economic and social future.
The historic introduction of a government funded paid parental leave scheme will help families find a better balance between paid work and caring responsibilities. It will allow mothers to spend time with their newborn babies and remain connected to the labour market.
Increased payments and significant structural reforms to the pension system will be of particular benefit to women, because more women than men in Australia retire with few accumulated savings and therefore rely on the age pension.
This year’s Women’s Budget Statement reflects a more rigorous and informative women’s budget process. Australia took a lead in evaluating how policies and programs impact on women and men differently with the launch, in 1987, of the first Women's Budget Statement. Analysing the effects of policies on population groups helps to ensure social and economic policy is well targeted and delivered equitably.
These are changing and challenging times. We must work together - men and women - if we are to progress equality and build prosperity. Women’s and men’s roles in the family, workplace, society and the economy have changed in recent decades. It is important that the Government’s policies to support families keep pace with those changes. This Budget delivers a great step forward in meeting today’s challenges and preparing for our future.
Tanya Plibersek
Minister for the Status of Women
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