Big businesses are firmly in the spotlight today – with data published for the first time revealing the difference between how much they pay men and women. Some of the almost 5,000 companies to note include major airlines and banks… Jetstar has a median gender pay gap of 53.5%, Virgin’s is 41.7%, and the gap at Qantas is 39.3%. Commonwealth Bank’s median gender pay gap is 29.8%, and Westpac’s is 27%. Reports say the disparity is generally fuelled by more men holding lucrative senior roles. The chief executive of the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA), Mary Wooldridge, says while the whole exercise isn’t meant to name and shame, “in a tight labour market… it’s very risky for employers not to take this issue seriously”. The pay info used to be kept under wraps – but Parliament passed laws last year to ensure it went public.