Hon Wilson Tucker questions the Minister for Women's Interests regarding the gender pay gap in WA and the government's plans to address it. The Minister acknowledges the complex factors contributing to the gap and outlines existing government initiatives.

AnsweredQoN 661Legislative Council
Asked
16 August 2022
Portfolio
Women’s Interests

QuestionView source ↗

GENDER PAY GAP
661. Hon WILSON TUCKER to the Leader of the House representing the
Minister for Women's Interests:
I refer to the WA government's 2022 Women's report card , which found that women in Western
Australia earn 21.2 per cent less than their male counterparts.
(1) To what does
the minister attribute this disparity?
(2) What policies
will the government enact to reduce the gender pay gap?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the
honourable member for some notice of the question.
(1) The gender
pay gap is influenced by a number of factors, including gender-segregated
industries; the dominance of the mining and resources sector; female-dominated
industries attracting lower wages; a workplace
and social culture in which there is a gender bias in recruitment and career
progression; women still undertaking the majority of unpaid domestic and
family care; lack of flexible work arrangements, which impacts more on women
than men; and high rates of part-time work for women.
(2) The McGowan
government released Stronger together: WA's plan for gender equality in 2020, as a framework for coordinated action by government, business,
community and individuals. The second action plan under Stronger together includes more than 50 actions and initiatives by government agencies to contribute to increasing women's
workforce participation, progression to leadership levels in organisations ,
and safety in workplaces and in the home.

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