Legacy issues impacting women
Through analysis, we have recognised that our experience results directly from the legacy of gender inequality including:
- Gender pay inequity resulting in lower Super balances for women at retirement
- Child support not being mandatory until 1988
- Superannuation not being mandatory until 1992
- Many women worked in feminised industries with lower pay rates
- Many women took career breaks to raise children and look after ageing relatives
- Many women received inequitable property settlements on divorce
- Older Women are unable to access loans for house purchase.
Housing system issues impacting everyone on low to middle incomes
- No rights approach to housing in Australia.
- Reduced investment in public and social housing over last 30 years resulting in totally inadequate supply.
- No recognition of the need to provide affordable housing for those excluded from public and social housing and the private ownership and rental markets.
- Ending of National Rental Affordability Scheme.
- No increase in Commonwealth Rent Assistance for over 20yrs.
- Home ownership and investment homes are seen as a means of wealth generation; incentives such as negative gearing and other policies favour landlords over renters.
- Huge increase in Airbnb and properties being used for short-term rental over recent years.
- Inadequate protection for renters e.g.,
- only short-term leases offered
- landlords not required to maintain liveable standards
- no minimum standards for energy efficiency
- excessive and frequent rent increases