Prominent Australian women have inked an open letter to the prime minister, calling for the forthcoming federal budget to tackle gender inequality.
The missive has been signed among others, by high-profile Minderoo Foundation chair Nicola Forrest, former Sydney lord mayor Lucy Turnbull, Fortescue Metals.
Group chief Elizabeth Gaines and previous Australian of the Year Rosie Batty.
"We know that while inequality persists, true development and economic growth can never flourish," it says.
"While we have made some strides on gender equality over recent decades, we are still falling short for women in almost every workplace, including the federal parliament.
"Australia's post-pandemic economic recovery depends on finding ways to support and unlock economic growth and jobs. One way to do this is to unlock the productivity gains that come from increasing women's workforce participation."
The group is urging Scott Morrison to reinstate the women's impact statement in the May federal budget, which used to show the effect of decisions and reforms.
"Why was that important statement removed?" the letter asks.
"We ask that this statement and the greater transparency it gives on the gendered impacts of the budget, be immediately returned."
Early learning should be on national cabinet's agenda, the letter says.
"The time is now. We urge you to move towards a better, more equal future."
Women's marches are being planned across the nation next Monday to protest against sexism and gendered violence, amid criticism of the Morrison
government's handling of multiple rape allegations.
Protesters in Canberra are preparing to rally outside Parliament House next week at the start of a sitting fortnight.
Mr Morrison continues to dig in against calls for an independent inquiry into whether Attorney-General Christian Porter is suitable to hold his position after historical rape allegations were levelled at him.
He is also standing by Defence Minister Linda Reynolds, whose former staffer Brittany Higgins says she was raped by a colleague at Parliament House in 2019.
Ms Higgins has reactivated a police investigation into the incident but says she felt pressured to choose between pressing charges and keeping her job after the alleged assault.
