Labor will require companies who want government contracts to meet gender equality targets

Katy Gallagher announces businesses with more than 500 employees won’t get Australian government business without targets for their boards and workforces

• Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates
• Get our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcast

Big business and government boards will be pushed to improve gender equality under new measures announced by the Albanese government.

The minister for women, Katy Gallagher, announced on Thursday that businesses with 500 employees or more will be required to meet new gender equality targets if they want to win government contracts.

Sign up for Guardian Australia’s free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup