Media Release: International Women’s Day Focus on State Budget Gender Impacts

Call for Government to Commit this International Women’s Day to Gender Impact Assessment of all Budget Repair Measures

7 March 2026

Independent Member for Nelson Meg Webb today called on the State Government to mark International Women’s Day by undertaking that consideration of gender equality and impacts on women will be firmly at the centre of the upcoming State Budget process.

“Rather than indulging in self-congratulatory back-slapping this International Women’s Day, I am calling on the Government to commit to providing a comprehensive State Budget gender impact statement detailing how any cuts to services, funding or jobs have been assessed for potential impacts on women, girls and gender-diverse Tasmanians,” Ms Webb said.

“Some good progress has been made on developing the annual State Budget Gender Impact assessment and the Government should be commended for that.

“However, that work must be turbo-charged now given the extreme obstacles on the fiscal road ahead. 

“Tasmania’s precarious financial situation could exacerbate and entrench current gender inequities, as history demonstrates it is the vulnerable and those who can least afford it who end up bearing the brunt of harsh budgets, service cuts and job losses.”

Ms Webb said she is calling for every so-called Budget Repair measure to come with a detailed gender impact assessment so Tasmanians can see whether the Government has adequately considered potential risks and impacts it may present to women in a range of circumstances.

“For example, how many of the announced 250 jobs to go at State Growth will impact female employees?

“How will any changes to services provided by State Growth impact upon women, girls and the gender-diverse? Where is the plan to manage those impacts?

“Assumptions that budgetary policy decisions are gender neutral are wrong and dangerous.

“We know policy assumptions can result in people being impacted differently or disproportionately due to their gender, which can be further compounded by other characteristics such as race, religion and disability.”

Ms Webb said rigorous gender budget impact assessments are necessary to help expose any assumptions, highlight potential risks of perpetuating current inequities, and identify unintended consequences and impacts.

“115 years on since the first International Women’s Day, the unfortunate reality is that hard-won gains are being eroded, and many women are at the risk of economic vulnerability.

“The Rockliff Government should pledge this international day to ensure women, girls and the gender-diverse Tasmanians are at the centre of State Budget decision-making processes, rather than being relegated to collateral damage,” Ms Webb said.