Older, single women are the new face of homelessness in Australia, as re-confirmed by reporting of Anglicare's State of The Family report today.

Senator Larissa Waters, Australian Greens spokesperson for women, said the trend was a result of gender inequality.

"It's deeply troubling older single women are the new face of homelessness and it's a result of gender inequality," Senator Waters said.  

"Many of these women would have performed the bulk of unpaid caring and domestic work, limiting their workforce participation and ability to accumulate superannuation.  

The Greens are calling for funding gaps for domestic violence front-line services to be filled and for action on long-term affordable housing, as the Ending Violence Against Women Queensland peak body is launched today.

Senator Larissa Waters, Australian Greens spokesperson for women, who is attending the launch at Qld Parliament House tonight, said:

"At both the federal and state level, funding gaps exist that mean women who are reaching out for help are not getting the support they need to escape domestic violence.

The Australian Greens welcome the Federal Government's announcement of funding for domestic violence training, services and prevention today, though long-term secure increased funding for services is still required.

"The announcement today is testament to the months and months of advocacy led by Rosie Batty that has put this national emergency firmly on the public agenda," Senator Larissa Waters, Australian Greens Deputy Leader and spokesperson for women, said.

The Australian Greens have today introduced a bill to the Federal Parliament to help close the gender pay gap by ending gag clauses in employment contracts.

"When pay is set in secret deals and employees aren't allowed to discuss the outcome women lose out," Senator Larissa Waters, Australian Greens Deputy Leader and spokesperson for women, said.

"In the private sector, it's common practice for contracts to include gag clauses that prevent workers from discussing their pay with one another. 

Senator RHIANNON (New South Wales) (21:06): How wonderful was the news that Rosie Batty was to be the Australian of the Year. It was a most important decision. The Baird Liberal government in New South Wales, however, is not doing enough to protect the women and children fleeing from domestic violence. When you look at what is happening in my home state you really wonder if they have listened to the Australian of the Year.

On Equal Pay Day today, the Australian Greens are finalising a bill to introduce to Parliament in the next sitting period to end gag clauses in employment contracts that leave women earning less.

"We know the gender pay gap is worst where pay is kept secret," Senator Larissa Waters, Australian Greens Deputy Leader and spokesperson for women, said.

"In the private sector, it's common practice for contracts to include gag clauses that prevent workers from discussing their pay with one another. 

The Australian Greens welcome the tri-partisan support for the domestic violence Senate Inquiry recommendations, released this afternoon, however the recommendations do not go far enough to end this national emergency.

Australian Greens spokesperson for women, Senator Larissa Waters, who established the inquiry, said:

 "Now is a critical moment, when national attention has focused on domestic violence like never before. This moment is an opportunity for action which must be seized.

The Greens will table the Stop Taxing my Period petition, with more than 100 000 signatories, in the federal Senate today, ahead of the COAG Treasurers' meeting on Friday.

Australian Greens Deputy Leader and spokesperson for women, Senator Larissa Waters, who will table the petition at about 11:50 am, said:

"When the treasurers meet on Friday, women across Australia will be counting on them to finally end this sexist tax.

"It's discriminatory to exempt condoms or sunscreen from GST but charge women GST for essential items.

The Greens welcome tri-partisan support for the Senate Inquiry into the gender retirement income gap, established in the Senate late yesterday.

Senator Larissa Waters, Australian Greens spokesperson for women and co-sponsor of the move for a Senate Inquiry, said:

"Women retire with far less savings than men, after a lifetime of a gender pay gap and a greater share of unpaid caring responsibilities.

"With the fastest growing cohort of homeless being older women, it's timely for the Senate to examine the structural inequities which are seeing women retire in poverty.

Senator Larissa Waters, Australian Greens spokesperson for women, on Tony Abbott's comments about women in the Liberal Party: 

“Tony Abbott’s rhetoric is farcical, given his atrocious track record of sexist comments and funding cuts disproportionately impacting women, as well as his failure to promote women.