Health

The majority disagreed that the Productivity Commission should be asked to conduct an inquiry into mechanisms for recognising and valuing unpaid care.

This motion was introduced by Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young.

Wording of the motion

That the Senate—

(a) notes that unpaid caring work being undertaken by Australian individuals is leading to inequality over the life-cycle of women and the emergence of gender-based disparity in retirement incomes; and

(b) calls on the Government to:

(i) direct the Productivity Commission to conduct an inquiry into mechanisms for recognising and valuing unpaid care which might reduce the gender gap, including, but not limited to, options and models for superannuation and tax offsets, carer's leave, child care, aged pension supplements, and additional paid parental leave measures, and

(ii) specify That the inquiry examine the merits and feasibility of a system of 'carer credits' in the form of direct credits to the superannuation accounts of individuals with parent care responsibilities or carer responsibilities.