Victoria’s first Public Sector Gender Equality Commissioner has been appointed, to provide independent oversight of Victoria’s Gender Equality Act 2020.
Welcoming the new Commissioner, Niki Vincent (pictured), the Minister for Women, Gabrielle Williams said she would play a key leadership role in promoting gender equality across Victorian workplaces and in the community.
“The Act – the first of its kind in Australia – aims to improve outcomes for women working in higher education, local government and the public sector, including nurses, teachers and emergency service workers, by breaking down discrimination and gender barriers,” Ms Williams said.
“It requires over 300 Victorian organisations to show meaningful progress on gender equality, such as reducing the gender pay gap and rates of sexual harassment – and also subjects any policy, program or service that seeks funding in Victorian budgets to gendered analysis,” she said.
“While progress has been made to improve gender inequality across the public sector, with women now holding 54 per cent of executive roles and the gender pay gap narrowing, there is still work to be done.”
Ms Williams said Dr Vincent brought a wealth of experience in gender equality and organisational leadership to the position, having most recently served as Commissioner for Equal Opportunity in South Australia and as a former Chief Executive of the Leaders Institute of South Australia.
“We’ll be looking to Dr Vincent’s professional and academic insights to help benefit women across Victorian workplaces – as well as inspire Victorian employers to get behind these landmark reforms,” she said.
She said Dr Vincent was expected to commence her appointment next month.
