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.

Senator Barbara Pocock, Greens Spokesperson for employment and labour market expert will be speaking on a panel today as part of the Revenue Summit hosted by the Australia Institute. Barbara will be discussing the revenue benefits from having more women in work and the policy pathways to it such as increased paid parental leave and free childcare.

The Greens will introduce the Fairer Paid Parental Leave Bill to deliver 26 weeks of paid leave paid at replacement wage capped, with super paid on leave, and ‘use it or lose it’ incentives for partners to encourage shared parenting.

Lines attributable to Greens leader in the senate and spokesperson on women Senator Larissa Waters 

“Fairer paid parental leave is a no-brainer that benefits everyone - parents, children and the economy. And if we scrap the Stage 3 tax cuts, we can easily afford it.

Today Parliament will begin hearing evidence from industry and community groups about juggling work and care responsibilities.

The Select Committee on Work and Care will be Chaired by Senator Barbara Pocock.

Senator Pocock not only is an expert in working life, but has also lived the reality of being a carer for her children, parents, and now as a grandparent.

Senator for South Australia and Employment spokesperson Barbara Pocock will be attending the Jobs and Skills summit alongside Greens Party Leader Adam Bandt. Barbara is a labour market expert and Emeritus Professor and is currently chairing the Senate’s first Select Committee inquiry on Work and Care.

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.

Greens Leader and Workplace Relations spokesperson Adam Bandt has said any deal reached at the Jobs and Skills summit risked becoming nothing more than an ‘historical footnote’ without Greens support, as unless Labor chooses to work with the union-busting Liberals, the only pathway for legislative implementation of Summit outcomes requires Greens support.