Women and Girls Economic Opportunities

The Hon. AILEEN MacDONALD (13:14:40):

I take note of the answers given by the Minister for Women today. Under the passionate leadership of the Minister, 2022 has indeed been the year of women. Our inboxes are chock-a-block full of media releases, news pieces and information on the countless initiatives the Liberal‑Nationals Government is rolling out for women in our State. But what are those on the other side planning for women? Zero. Zilch. Nothing. If the Labor Opposition needs a policy for women, I am sure Minister Taylor has an overflowing pile with a few spares she could share. The Government has delivered time and again for the women of New South Wales. It is investing in every aspect to ensure prosperity for women, whether at work, in their careers, at home or in women's health.

The Government is overhauling support for women, and there is no stopping it as we head into a new year. Last year the Minister launched the Return to Work program as a means to get women who had lost their jobs during the pandemic back into work. It was a $10 million program that initially supported 2,000 women and saw 65 per cent returning to work within six months, 73 per cent taking up further education and training and 97 per cent feeling more confident to return to work. Arguably, the success of the program is what inspired the much larger Women's Economic Opportunity Review, which has delivered a $16.5 billion 10‑year investment and supersized the Return to Work program to $32 million. It is fantastic to be part of a government that cares about setting women up for success and consistently delivers for the people of New South Wales.

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