Government report acknowledges 'feminist' federal budget benefits men more than women

The Liberal government has made gender equality a top priority, but its latest federal budget benefits men more than women because many of its spending initiatives target male-dominated sectors.

A statement and impacts report on gender and diversity that accompanied the budget says nearly half of the budget’s measures — 44 per cent — are expected to benefit women and men in equal proportions, while 42 per cent are expected to directly or indirectly benefit men.

Only a considerably smaller share of the budget measures — roughly 14 per cent — will directly or indirectly benefit women.

“This relative disparity reflects the fact