Women’s Minister Julie-Anne Genter has confirmed that women are paid less than men at the very Ministry that is focussed
on eliminating the gender pay gap, National’s Women’s spokesperson Paula Bennett says.
“Julie-Anne Genter told a Select Committee that the men at her Ministry are paid six per cent more than the women. The
pay gap at the Ministry has changed in favour of men since this Government came into power.
“If Julie-Anne Genter wants to have any credibility criticising private businesses or other Government departments, she
needs to sort out her own Ministry first.
“This is another example of hypocrisy by Green Party Ministers who have swallowed more dead rats than a hungry stray
cat. They supported the Waka-Jumping legislation, they didn’t get their Capital Gains Tax and there’s been no progress
on the Kermadecs.
“Under a National Government the Gender Pay Gap decreased from 12 per cent to 9 per cent. It hasn’t changed under this
Government.
“There are only 30 per cent women in this Government’s Cabinet, fewer than under the National Government. The Prime
Minister has the opportunity to address this tomorrow in her reshuffle.
“The Greens were incredibly vocal in Opposition but they’re finding the reality of Government much harder. It’s time for
them start walking the walk, because until now they’ve been all talk.”