"There is no place for sexual harassment in Australian workplaces. Employers overwhelmingly do not tolerate sexual harassment in their workplaces but more can and should be done to address the problem. The release today of the report and recommendations of the Sex Discrimination Commissioner's National Inquiry into Sexual Harassment in Australian Workplaces, is an important step in implementing necessary changes," Innes Willox, Chief Executive of national employer association Ai Group, said today.
"The Inquiry recommendations that address the need for better data collection, research and education, and communication of best practice approaches, have obvious merit and should be implemented without delay.
"The recommended changes to the current legal framework raise many complex issues and will require careful consideration, given that there are numerous existing Federal and State laws of relevance to the issues. What is clear, is that the existing laws are far too complex and need to be simplified. As set out in the Inquiry report, a consistent theme that emerged throughout the Inquiry was that the interaction between relevant Federal and State anti-discrimination laws is complex and confusing for workers and employers to navigate.
"Ai Group will take the time to consider the report and recommendations carefully and will release a more detailed response at a later date," Mr Willox said.
