Cash calls out states on respect proposals
The Attorney-General, Michaelia Cash, has called on the states, territories and private sector to implement recommendations given in the Respect@Work report.
The Attorney-General, Michaelia Cash, has called on the states and territories and the private sector to implement recommendations given in the Respect@Work report by Sex Discrimination Commissioner, Kate Jenkins.
The Morrison government agreed, noted or agreed in part to the 55 recommendations in the report in its response released in April. Of the 41 it agreed to or accepted in part, a progress update shows the government has implemented 10 recommendations and fully funded and begun work on the remaining 31.
For recommendations requiring joint funding with the states, the government says it has now provided its share and that four of the 55 recommendations require action from the private sector, including recommendations 41, 44, 45 and 47.
The government is to host a two-day virtual national forum on November 11-12 on prevention and regulation of sexual harassment in the workplace.
“I am pleased we have made significant progress on our response by fully implementing or fully funding 41 of the 55 recommendations.
“This work is a critical step in enhancing protections against sexual harassment and other forms of discrimination in Australian workplaces,” Senator Cash told The Australian.
“I am now calling on the states and territories, as well as the private sector, to continue this progress by implementing and funding recommendations aimed at them.
“This is important work that must continue.
“A respectful culture should be commonplace. It should be business as usual.”
Convened by Comcare, the national forum will feature federal and state and territory workplace health and safety authorities as well as employers.
Speeches at the forum will be given by Ms Jenkins and ACTU president Michele O’Neil.
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