Calls are growing for initiatives that support women, gender equality and violence protection to be protected ahead of the upcoming Federal Budget in May.
This year’s Budget comes amid the fuel crisis, as the Albanese Government seeks options to address the fallout from the war in the Middle East.
Gender Lens Australia has released their Gender Budget Watch Report today, highlighting how budget rationisations across states and the Commonwealth are already hitting gender equality and safety measures hard.
The analysis finds that less than 8 per cent of government budgets at national, state and territory levels benefit women, gender equality and violence prevention (WGEVP). That’s despite the record investments made in women’s health.
Just 5.8 per cent of total budgetary funding in the 25/26 Financial year supported WGEVP, with Gender Lens Australia Co Founder and CEO Tanja Kovac declaring that women’s safety, businesses and services are harmed as a result.
“We’ve seen a slight rebound in investments at a State and Territory level, but the overall investment in WGEVP is contracting, not growing in Australia,” said Dr Maree Overall, Co-founder and CEO of Gender Lens Australia.
“This is disappointing and delaying progress on gender equality.”
The percentage of 25/26 budgets that went to women, gender equality and violence prevention sat well below 10% across the Commonwealth and all state and territories.
The portion states, territories and the Commonwealth allocated in 25/26:
Commonwealth – 5.9%
ACT – 1.9%
NSW – 2.1%
NT – 2.2%
Qld – 3.6%
SA – 2%
Tas – 0.9%
Vic – 7.1%
WA – 0.35%
The analysis notes that NSW experienced a significant drop in the previous year, and that the ACT has experienced another significant percentage fall. WA remains “consistently woeful” with less than 1 per cent of spending going to these initiatives. Victoria, meanwhile, leads the pack, but needs to allocate more in order to meet evidence-led levels required to prevent violence against women.
While policy platforms and media statements make for good headlines, the success of gender quality initiatives depends on sustained and meaningful investment.
By tracking funding allocations, GLAs help to identify gaps, inconsistencies, and areas where funding falls short of what’s required for meaningful change.
“When government budgets tighten, women, gender equality and violence prevention pays a price,” write Kovac and Overall in the report.
“Our Gender Budget Watch Report 25-26 reveals a continued drain on WGEVP investment, as post-COVID budget constraint and Inflationary pressures focus government decisions on debt-reduction and cost-of-living initiatives.”
Pictured above: Gender Lens Australia co founders Tanja Kovac & Dr Maree Overall.
Check out the full report here.