The Attorney-General’s Department has publicised proposed new laws now before the Parliament which crack down on sexual harassment and discrimination in Australia’s workplaces.
Attorney-General Michaelia Cash said the Sex Discrimination and Fair Work (Respect at Work) Amendment Bill 2021 would strengthen Australia’s anti-discrimination and industrial relations frameworks by simplifying, clarifying and enhancing protections against sexual harassment and other forms of sex discrimination in the workplace.
Ms Cash said the Bill gave effect to commitments made in the Government’s response to the Respect@Work Report, the Roadmap for Respect: Preventing and Addressing Sexual Harassment in Australian Workplaces.
“In addition to implementing the Roadmap, the Bill also amends the Fair Work Act to enable an employee to take compassionate leave if they, or their spouse or de facto partner, has a miscarriage,” Ms Cash said.
“This amendment will promote women’s workforce participation and, more broadly, women’s economic security,” she said.
“This legislation is a considerable step in achieving greater safety and economic security for women across the whole of our society.”
Ms Cash said the Bill clarified that harassing a person on the basis of sex was prohibited; broadened the scope of people covered by the Sex Discrimination Act 1984; clarified that a complaint of victimisation could be considered as a civil or criminal matter; extended the timeframe for which a complaint could be made to the Australian Human Rights Commission; clarified that the Fair Work Commission could make orders to stop sexual harassment in the workplace; and clarified that sexual harassment could be a valid reason for dismissal.
The Attorney-General said the amendments would build on work already underway to implement other Respect@Work recommendations.
The 23-page proposed Bill can be accessed at this PS News link and the Attorney-General’s Department’s 25-page Roadmap at this link.
