THE HON. MARK DREYFUS QC MP
SHADOW ATTORNEY-GENERAL
SHADOW MINISTER FOR THE ARTS
MEMBER FOR ISAACS
SENATOR CLAIRE MOORE
SHADOW MINISTER FOR WOMEN
SHADOW MINISTER FOR CARERS
SHADOW MINISTER FOR COMMUNITIES
SENATOR FOR QUEENSLAND
AFTER TWO MONTHS, STILL NO SEX DISCRIMINATION COMMISSIONER APPOINTED
The Liberal Government has now left the position of Sex Discrimination Commissioner vacant for more than two months.
During today's Question Time in the Senate, the Attorney-General confirmed that the position of the Human Rights Sex Discrimination Commissioner still remains vacant despite his promise three weeks ago that an appointment will be made shortly.
The Liberal Government received twelve months notice of Ms Broderick's departure, but clearly don't consider this important role a high priority.
The Sex Discrimination Commissioner plays a vital role in advocating gender equality and does crucial work on the prevention of domestic violence, among other issues.
The Government must not neglect this position while one in four Australian women experience violence at the hands of a partner, while the national gender pay gap sits at 17.9 per cent, and while only 24 per cent of Board Directors and 17 per cent of CEOs are women.
There is no excuse for the Governments delay. Labor calls on the Government to immediately fill the position of the Sex Discrimination Commissioner so that the important work done by former Commissioner Broderick can be continued by a new appointee.
THURSDAY, 12 NOVEMBER 2015
