Sue
MORONEY
Women’s Affairs Spokesperson

3 January 2012 MEDIA STATEMENT
New Zealand women left behind

National’s inaction on pay equity will see Kiwi women left behind, says Labour's spokesperson for Women's Affairs Sue Moroney.

“A ruling this week from Fair Work Australia to significantly increase women workers’ pay on the grounds of gender equity is in stark contrast to the briefing prepared for New Zealand's Minister of Women's Affairs

“Released yesterday, the briefing to recently appointed Women’s Affairs Minister Jo Goodhew identifies the gender pay gap in New Zealand but poses no solutions,” Sue Moroney said.

“The Australian ruling gives pay increases of 18-41 per cent over the next six years to those working in the social, community and disability sectors because their hearing identified sizeable gender pay gaps.

“Meanwhile, John Key's Government cancelled pay equity audits to stop gender pay gaps from being identified in New Zealand.

"This Government thinks it will fix the gender pay gap by encouraging all women to get high-paying jobs. The reality is record numbers of women are without work at all, let alone able to achieve their full potential.

"National refuses to face reality and is out-of-touch with advances being made by neighbouring countries.

"It's clear that the Minister and her Government have no plan to even attempt to address the issues facing women in our valuable community and disability sectors and New Zealand families suffer as a result,” Sue Moroney said.

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