paul mallett advocates strongly to close the pay gap in Tasmania. paul believes closing the gender pay gap is smart economic policy — not just good social policy. Closing this gap boosts economic growth, lifts household incomes, and strengthens families and communities. paul supports the need to urgently address the undervaluation of care work, particularly in the disability, early childhood, and aged care sectors.

Based on his time leading grant funded community services during the period of Australia’s Equal Remuneration Order (23%-45% pay rises co-funded by State and Commonwealth, phased in between 2012-2020), paul knows that a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work lifts families, grows the economy, retains staff, and shows we care about fairness for all.

Background

The gender pay gap is the difference between what women and men earn, on average. In Tasmania the gender pay gap is around 10-13%, which means women are effectively working more than a month each year unpaid compared to men in equivalent roles, and women earn less than men on average, over their lifetimes. paul understands the pay gap is caused by multiple, overlapping factors:

• Unequal access to leadership and high-paid roles
• More unpaid care work done by women
• Part-time work, career breaks, and insecure work patterns
• Discrimination and undervaluing of female-dominated jobs (like care, education, admin)
• Lack of transparency about pay

This gap is widest for women:

• In low-paid, female-dominated sectors like aged care, disability, and community services
• Living outside major cities, especially rural and regional Tasmania
• Balancing paid work with unpaid caring responsibilities

The gender pay gap is not just unfair — it costs our economy millions each year, reduces family security, and pushes more older women into poverty.

Closing the pay gap boosts:

• Household incomes and local spending
• Productivity and talent retention
• Workforce participation, especially in critical industries (care, health, education)

Fair pay means more Tasmanians have a chance to thrive — and keeps more skilled workers in our state.

Proposed Action

Require Pay Transparency

• Mandate annual gender pay gap reporting for all large employers and state-funded contractors.

• Publish a public register to hold employers accountable.

Regular Pay Equity Audits

• Require all Tasmanian Government agencies, councils, and funded organisations to do regular pay audits — and close unjustified gaps.

• Reward private employers who do the same.

Value Care Work

• Support new pay equity claims in low-paid care sectors — aged care, disability, early childhood.

• Leverage state procurement and funding to lift wages and conditions.

Boost Flexible Work & Parental Leave

• Lead by example with best-practice flexible work, shared parental leave and return-to-work support in the public sector.

• Advocate nationally for stronger paid parental leave and universal childcare.

 Lift Women into Leadership

• Set clear targets for women in senior government, boards, and state-owned businesses.

• Back mentoring, training, and leadership pathways for women — especially in regional Tasmania.

Make Bias Visible & Actionable

• Fund community awareness and employer training.

• Strengthen anti-discrimination enforcement and support for women who speak up.

Inspiration

Countries with the smallest pay gaps act boldly:

• Iceland makes employers prove they pay equally — or face fines.
• UK, Germany, NZ mandate pay gap reporting for big employers.
• Nordic countries offer long, flexible paid parental leave and affordable childcare — boosting women’s workforce participation and encouraging men to share care.
• New Zealand and Australia have used major wage cases to lift low-paid care sector wages.