KIERAN GILBERT:
Let's return now to federal politics. There's been a lot of focus in Canberra today on the gender pay gap. The Assistant Treasurer, Stephen Jones, joins me. Matt Canavan was raising questions about these numbers and whether they stack up, whether it's creating division. He was corrected pretty quickly by Sussan Ley on this matter. So, the coalition leadership take this seriously, as do the vast majority of economic observers, too. It is, it's a reality, isn't it?
STEPHEN JONES:
Yeah. Look, I think what Matt Canavan did was say the quiet bit out loud. He reflected the view of the majority of their party room, which is why Peter Dutton and Sussan Ley have got a problem with women. Frankly, yes, it's important. The gender pay gap has come down on our watch. Over 2 per cent, 12 per cent lowest rate that it has been. We've got more to do.
GILBERT:
What are the structural things that you can shift to fix this?
JONES:
Look, a couple of things. Firstly, the work that we're doing in the area of childcare, absolutely critical. And ensuring the women don't have a career break or a massive interruption in their careers that they can enjoy the same year on year advancement in their career as their equivalent male workers do. Absolutely critical. Ensuring that we have a spotlight on it. So, whether it's the work we've done to reform the Workplace Relations Act or whether it's the reporting on this data, absolutely critical. You can't improve what you can't see. So, contrary to what Matt Canavan says, absolutely critical that we are measuring and reporting on this stuff. But, of course, getting wages moving again, and particularly in those feminised workforces, which is why we put so much effort into what we've done around aged care. Looking at childcare as well, but particularly aged care, overwhelmingly feminised workforce. government supporting wage increases in those areas makes a huge difference overall.
GILBERT:
The Treasurer is heading to the G20 Finance Minister's meeting this week in Brazil. As the economy looks like, are we heading for a soft landing? Do you think? Inflation is moderating Australia's budget balance? As the Treasurer pointed out today, is the fourth best in the G20. So, a few indicators pointing favourably. Obviously, we need that inflation number to come down further and the next CPI numbers out tomorrow, so we'll get the latest barometer on that.
JONES:
Look, things are looking good. We know that households are doing it tough, and it's why we need to do our bit as a government to manage the finances responsibly. It means when new revenue comes in, we don't spend it. We're paying down the former government's debt, balancing the books, keeping a lid on inflation. Absolutely critical. When Jim heads overseas, there won't be many treasurers of his counterpart countries who are looking at their own situation. And, you know, Australia is in a worse position because, frankly, Australia is in a better position than most of our counterparts. No reason to rest on our laurels. Wages moving, budget in a strong position. Of course, we've got to do more work to bring inflation down over the course of this year, and that's what we're focused on.
GILBERT:
Scott Morrison, he's valedictory today and the end of his time at Parliament House. It comes to an end for everyone at some point, obviously. How do you reflect on that? It was a bit of a rare moment to see a Prime Minister give a valedictory speech.
JONES:
Yeah, absolutely. Look, frankly, best wishes to Scott and his family, his wife and daughters. Today is a day where you put the boxing gloves down, particularly in relation to Scott, and we wish him well. He was the Prime Minister during a tumultuous time in our nation's history, leading the country through the COVID pandemic. Lots of big calls had to be made. Inevitably, you don't get them all right. But we came through that period pretty well as a country, and I pay tribute to him in his time as the PM, and I wish him all the best for the future.
GILBERT:
Assistant Treasurer, thanks for your time. I appreciate it.