Tuesday, 3 March 2026

 Mary-Anne THOMAS (Macedon – Leader of the House, Minister for Health, Minister for Ambulance Services, Minister for Women) (14:10): In the week that we celebrate International Women’s Day, I rise to update the house on the Allan Labor government’s commitment to increase women’s participation in paid work by making the right to work from home law. Despite gains over the past 50 years, women in Australia still face barriers that mean they work less, earn less and retire with less. Women are still more likely to work in insecure roles where the pay is lower and to take time out of paid work to care for children. Other responsibilities, like caring for ageing parents, work around the home and carrying the mental load that is associated with caring for a family, often fall to women. That is why on our side of the Parliament we have long fought for flexible work arrangements to increase participation for women, narrow the gender pay gap and support work–life balance. It is why our government will enshrine the right to work from home in the law. Work from home makes balancing the competing demands that often fall on women just that little bit easier, and it means that working women and mums can save time and money spent on travelling to and from the workplace.

As a Labor government, we know that working from home works for women and indeed it works for everyone. On this side of the house we are very clear about that, but there are some in this place who oppose flexible work, who oppose our government’s plan, despite the massive benefits that it would bring for women and families. But that is unsurprising when not a single member on that side of the house has ever had the privilege of representing working people in their fight for rights at work. On this side of the house we know that work from home works for women, and we will make it the law.