Last month , the first interim report was released with eS4W as witness to presentation to the Senate Select Committee (Represented by Roselynne Anderson- Chair eS4W and Sharen Page- Coordinator eS4W).
Highlights in the report that referenced the submission of eS4W summarised below. BPW Australia is a member organisation of eS4W – a National Women’s Alliance.
A copy of the committee’s first interim report can be accessed here https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/COVID-19/COVID19/Interim_Report/section?id=committees%2freportsen%2f024513%2f73670
5.99
The Grattan Institute's submission found that women were economically worse off when compared to other notable demographic groups,83 while economic Security4Women (eS4W) highlighted that:
Women have been disproportionately affected during COVID-19. They make up the majority of front-line workers in care, and education and are overrepresented in precarious employment, including in the informal sector, where their benefits and protection are inadequate or lacking.84
- 84 - economic Security4Women (eS4W), Submission 179, p. 9.
5.106
Failure to incorporate known inequities, such as those in superannuation outcomes, has promoted greater disparity. eS4W asserted in its submission that their analysis of Australian Prudential Regulation Authority and ATO data found women, who already retire with 47 per cent less super than men,89 withdrew 4.5 per cent of their balance on average compared to 2.5 per cent for men accessing the scheme.90
- 89 eS4W, Submission 179, p. 6.
- 90 eS4W, Submission 179, p. 7.
5.112
The committee strongly shares the view of eS4W that:
Moving forward we encourage the Government to apply a gender lens on all policies…
Women's economic empowerment will be essential if we are to ensure effective and sustainable economic recovery from COVID-19 in
Australia. 95
- 95 eS4W, Submission 179, p. 9.
