Attorney-General and Minister for Industrial Relations, Michaelia Cash will today open a national forum hosted by Commonwealth work health and safety (WHS) regulator Comcare, focussing on the prevention, management and regulation of workplace sexual harassment.
"I am proud to launch this forum today as it brings together WHS regulators, professionals and employers across the country to promote cultural change in our workplaces. That's reflected in the forum's theme - Influencing positive change," said the Attorney-General.
"Education is a central to the Government's action to implement the 'Roadmap for Respect: Preventing and Addressing Sexual Harassment in Australian Workplaces'. The forum will help drive a national approach to prevention strategies, as announced in the 2021-22 Budget."
Participants will hear from a range of speakers at the event including Sex Discrimination Commissioner and Chair of the Respect@Work Council, Kate Jenkins, who will focus on the findings of her landmark National Inquiry into Sexual Harassment in Australian Workplaces.
The program has been co-designed in collaboration with Safe Work Australia and state and territory WHS regulators. It will help to ensure that WHS authorities are equipped to assist businesses and workers to understand their duties and obligations in relation to sexual harassment under WHS laws, and deliver best practice regulation.
The forum builds on the education resources Comcare has developed in collaboration with the Australian Human Rights Commission and aligns with the national Guidance from Safe Work Australia. These resources provide practical guidance for employers, managers, supervisors and workers to prevent and respond to workplace sexual harassment.
