Equal employment opportunity: A new phase for gender equality

Key Points:

The inclusion of men brings with it a new era for equal employment opportunity.

In keeping with an election campaign commitment, the Equal Opportunity For Women In The Workplace Amendment Bill 2012 was introduced into the House of Representatives on 1 March 2012. Its focus is to improve workplace participation and flexibility, recognising that equal remuneration, and family and carer responsibilities are central to the achievement of gender equality. Importantly, it highlights that these issues are not only for women, but men also.

The new principal objects of the Act are:

• to promote and improve gender equality (including equal remuneration between women and men) in employment and in the workplace;