Democracy Sausage with Mark Kenny: Is the government failing women in its COVID-19 policy responses?

Abstract

On this episode of Democracy Sausage, Mark Kenny chats with Barbara Pocock AM and Trish Bergin about the government’s decision to roll back free childcare and the impacts of Australia’s COVID-19 policy responses on women. The Federal Government’s decision to roll back free childcare has caused much consternation in the community. Still undertaking a disproportionate amount of the unpaid caring responsibilities, what will be the impact of this decision on women? What are the economic impacts of the crisis on women? And how can Australian governments ensure their policy responses are equitable? On this week’s Democracy Sausage Second Serve, we talk to economists Barbara Pocock AM and Trish Bergin about the rolling back of free childcare and why women are bearing the brunt in Australia’s policy responses to COVID-19.