STRENGTHENING DISCRIMINATION LAWS FOR FAMILIES

Attorney-General, Robert McClelland today announced the Government’s intention to provide stronger discrimination protections for Australians with family responsibilities.

The proposed amendments are part of the Government’s response to the report by the Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs’ into eliminating discrimination and promoting gender equality.

The Government will amend the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 by:

extending protections from discrimination on the grounds of family responsibilities to both women and men in all areas of employment;

providing greater protection from sexual harassment for students and workers;

ensuring that protections from sex discrimination apply equally to women and men; and

establishing breastfeeding as a separate ground of discrimination.

“Ensuring that anti-discrimination law meets the needs of contemporary Australians is an important part of ensuring the promotion and protection of human rights,” Mr McClelland said.

The Government will also consider other recommendations from the Senate Committee’s Report as part of its commitment in Australia’s Human Rights Framework to consolidate anti-discrimination legislation into one single comprehensive law.

“Strengthening protections for workers with family responsibilities is an important step toward achieving economic equality between women and men.”

The Government will introduce legislation to implement these amendments.

Media Contact: Adam Siddique (McClelland) 0407 473 630

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STRENGTHENING DISCRIMINATION LAWS FOR FAMILIES

The proposed amendments are part of the Government’s response to the report by the Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs’ into eliminating discrimination and promoting gender equality.