Greens spokesperson for Finance Senator Barbara Pocock is disappointed by Labor’s delayed attempts to improve support and lower cost of living for parents and carers. Senator Pocock is calling on the Government to go further and faster on care sector wages, paid parental leave and free childcare.

The Senate Select Committee on Work and Care, Chaired by Greens Senator Barbara Pocock, has today released its interim majority report. Evidence from months of hearings and over 100 submissions showed the reforms needed for working carers are so urgent that the committee has released immediate recommendations ahead of the final report.

On Equal Pay Day the Greens have called on the new government to redress 9 years of inaction on gender equality, and act immediately to close the gender pay gap, starting with free childcare and raising pay in the highly feminised workforce in our care economy.

Lines attributable to Senator Larissa Waters, Greens Leader in the Senate and spokesperson on Women

“Today marks the 60 extra days women need to work, on average, to earn the equivalent salary to men.