Deputy leader to unveil equality strategy at press club, saying: ‘In 1972 we said “It’s time”. In 2018 women are saying “time’s up”’

This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

Labor has promised to boost the representation of women in senior positions on government boards and in the public service as well as take action to address the gender pay gap, if elected.

The policies are contained in its national gender equality strategy, released on Wednesday ahead of deputy leader Tanya Plibersek’s International Women’s Day address at the National Press Club.

In her speech, an advance copy of which was seen by Guardian Australia, Plibersek says Labor’s consultations have revealed five priorities: economic security and independence; valuing and sharing family responsibilities; gender gaps in health and wellbeing; women’s leadership; and ending violence against women.

Labor plans to put gender at the centre of government decision-making, Plibersek will say, with consideration of how policies affect both genders and a women’s budget statement to make budget practices gender-responsive.

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On gender equity in pay, Labor promises a “measurable action” with annual reports to parliament on its progress, which may include a target for the gender pay gap.

According to the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA), Australia’s full-time gender pay gap is 15.3%. Women employed full-time earn on average $253.70 a week less than men.

Plibersek will say it is “optimistic” to think the gap will be closed in 50 years, as the WGEA estimates, and the trend has been backwards over the past 20 years.

“We can’t wait 50 or more years to close the pay gap. We can’t wait 30 years for equal political representation,” she will say. “In 1972 we said ‘It’s time’. In 2018 women are saying ‘time’s up’.”

Plibersek will say Bill Shorten has “already made clear that reducing violence against women will be a top priority for a Labor government”.

Labor plans to set a family and domestic violence target with states and territories as part of a national action plan, and last week announced it will intervene to prevent abuse at residential colleges.

Plibersek will say the #metoo movement has exposed “how common sexual harassment still is”. “The #MeToo movement and last week’s Red Zone report, have shone such a bright light on our failings that there is no longer any excuse to turn a blind eye.”

Labor promises to boost the representation of women in chair and deputy chair positions on government boards to 40% by 2025 and to set a target of 50% representation of women in senior public service roles by 2025.

Although the target does not apply to judges, Plibersek will call for “a federal judiciary that better reflects the Australian community”.

In 2016 the Australian government committed to a target of women holding 50% of government board positions overall and men and women holding at least 40% on each board.

In 2017 women held 42.7% of Australian government board positions. However, at the chair and deputy chair level just 31.8% were women.

According to the Australian Public Service Commission women make up 58% of the public service workforce but just 31% of agencies are headed by women. Some 47% of employees reporting directly to an agency head were women.