‘PM for Women’ Marise Payne Defends Cabinet Reshuffle
Canberra: Australia’s Minister for Women Marise Payne has defended the Prime Minister’s Cabinet reshuffle and his remarks that she was now “the Prime Minister for Women”.
Scott Morrison used the description when he yesterday unveiled his new ministry which included more women in key roles to target gender inequality.
Senator Payne - who is also Foreign Minister - will lead the taskforce of the new ministerial roles - including Women’s Safety and Women’s Economic Security.
Mr Morrison described her role as the “Prime Minister for Women”.
The remarks triggered criticism that Mr Morrison was only PM for men. But Senator Payne told Today that he represented all genders.
“No, he is the Prime Minister for all Australians,” Ms Payne said. “He is most certainly leading his Cabinet in that way. I am absolutely pleased and proud to be able to work as part of this Government right across this country in both of my roles as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women.”
Ms Payne said she will look to change the pay gap and female participation in the workplace, but admitted that Federal Parliament and the Liberal Party faced a big task in improving gender equality.
But Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese told Today that Mr Morrison’s description of Senator Payne’s new role showed he was out of touch.
“I think that maybe the Prime Minister doesn’t quite get it yet,” Mr Albanese said, of the Ms Payne reference.
“I want to be the Prime Minister for all Australians. That’s what I’m running for.”
In other Cabinet changes announced yesterday, Karen Andrews was named the Minister for Home Affairs and Anne Ruston was appointed to the new portfolio of Minister for Women’s Safety. Senator Michaelia Cash was promoted to Australia’s new Attorney-General and will also be the Minister for Industrial Relations.