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?
Hon SUE
ELLERY replied:
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.