MICHAEL ROWLAND, CO-HOST: Thousands of Australian mums and dads could be better off with the Government promising to add super contributions to their paid parental leave scheme if it wins the next election. Under the current program, a couple with a newborn or newly-adopted child can get access to up to 20 weeks of paid parental leave at the national minimum wage, but there were calls to add on super to ensure women do not fall behind in retirement.

KARL STEFANOVIC, HOST: Welcome back. Matildas Captain Sam Kerr’s alleged racial slur against a police officer in London has been revealed in a British tabloid, as The Sun reports the soccer star called the officer a, quote, stupid white bastard. Joining us to discuss today's headlines is 2GB’s Chris O'Keefe and Finance Minister – on a big day for her – Katy Gallagher. Appreciate your time. Thanks so much. Katy, to you first up, do we think that's worth a four-day trial?

The Minister for Women, Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher, will travel to New York to lead Australia’s delegation to the 68th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW).

The Commission is the premier global forum on gender policy issues and is instrumental in promoting women’s rights and shaping global standards on gender equality. 

Minister for Women, Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher, says she is proud to be promoting Australia’s commitment to gender equality.

The Albanese Government has released the second annual Status of Women Report Card showing what life looks like for women and girls in Australia in 2024. 

The Government promised to release a report card every International Women’s Day to shine a light on where progress towards gender equality has stalled and where more effort is needed. 

The 2024 report card shows that women in Australia are diverse, educated, and hardworking. 

The Albanese Government has set up a First Nations Reference Group to work in partnership with the government to design and implement the Remote Jobs and Economic Development program. 

The Remote Jobs and Economic Development program announced last month, will create 3,000 jobs in remote Australia, to help close the gap in employment outcomes and boost economic opportunities.

The Albanese Government has set up a First Nations Reference Group to work in partnership with the government to design and implement the Remote Jobs and Economic Development program. 

The Remote Jobs and Economic Development program announced last month, will create 3,000 jobs in remote Australia, to help close the gap in employment outcomes and boost economic opportunities.

ADAM SHIRLEY, HOST: I wonder whether there’s a bit of federal money around for a street pantry of the kind there is in Ngunnawal. Well, Senator Katy Gallagher is the Finance Minister and Senator for the ACT. Senator, good morning to you.

SENATOR THE HON KATY GALLAGHER, MINISTER FOR WOMEN: Good morning, how are you Adam?

NATALIE BARR, HOST: Joining me now is Finance Minister Katy Gallagher. Good morning to you. So, we’ve just had the slowest two quarters of consecutive growth in nearly 20 years, outside the pandemic. We are limping, we are in a per capita recession. What’s the government going to do about it?

JOURNALIST: Katy you've said that you're not going to tell us how much this policy is going to cost, you clearly think that it's worth it because you wouldn't be announcing it if not, so why not tell us how much it's going to cost? 

The Albanese Labor Government will continue its historic reform of Paid Parental Leave (PPL) and will pay superannuation on the Government payment from 1 July 2025.

The announcement will be made alongside the release of Working for Women –Australia’s first national strategy to achieve gender equality.

Paying superannuation on PPL was also a key recommendation of the Women’s Economic Equality Taskforce and has long been campaigned for by unionsand the women’s movement.