Victorian government creates gender responsive budgeting unit in treasury

Excerpt from Women’s Agenda
Article by Madeline Hislop
21 May 2021

The Victorian government has announced it will establish a gender-responsive budgeting unit as part of its 2021/22 state budget, in a move that is widely considered an important step towards gender equality.

The gender responsive budgeting unit will be within the Department of Treasury and Finance and will embed gender impact analysis in the government’s budget decision making process. The unit essentially ensures outcomes for women are specifically measured as part of all budget decisions.

Lead economist at Equity Economics Angela Jackson said the establishment of the gender responsive budgeting unit is critical for women’s equity.

“This many seem like a small announcement and won’t get the attention of the big ticket items in the #VicBudget2021 BUT it is critical to the march towards equity,” Jackson wrote on Twitter.

Dr Adele Murdolo, executive director of the Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health said the budget delivered positive outcomes for migrant and refugee women in Victoria, by providing a pathway to economic and wellbeing recovery post-pandemic.

“There were significant impacts of the COVID-19 lockdown on so many migrant and refugee women, including poorer mental health, job loss, financial disadvantage and increased risk of family violence,” Dr Murdolo said.

“This budget promises to significantly build the workforces of care industries, creating employment for women, and enhancing the quality of care.”

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