‘Prime Minister for Women’: Marise Payne to lead new cabinet taskforce

Each of the women included in the refreshed ministry will be included on the taskforce, along with Treasurer Josh Frydenberg and Finance Minister Simon Birmingham.

Newly named Attorney-General Michaelia Cash, new Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews and cabinet ministers, including Anne Ruston and Sussan Ley, will join the group.

Senator Payne declined to attend this month’s Women’s March 4 Justice outside Parliament House, and has attracted criticism for a low-profile approach to the role.

She once remarked she first became a feminist at age one, but only discovered at university that there were things “it was expected a young woman should not or would not do”.

Mr Morrison said the changes would deliver the right perspective for the government.

“It’s about getting that lens on the policy challenges that we’re facing and the policy development and delivery work that needs to be undertaken,” he said.

Last week Senator Payne led a Coalition backtrack on a controversial proposal to let people fleeing domestic violence access their super savings early, after widespread concerns about the possibility of financial abuse.

First unveiled in the 2018 Women’s Economic Security Statement, the plan was set to allow withdrawals of up to $10,000 from later this year.

Labor called for immediate action on Monday.

Senior opposition MPs Tanya Plibersek, Linda Burney and Jenny McAlliser issued a joint statement on a range of proposals already with the government.

“Today’s announcements can’t be yet another political fix from a government that seems more concerned about itself than anybody else,” they said.