Print
PDF

PROTECTING WORKING FAMILIES FROM DISCRIMINATION

ATTORNEY-GENERAL HON ROBERT McCLELLAND MP
AND

MINISTER FOR EMPLOYMENT PARTICIPATION AND CHILD CARE;  MINISTER FOR THE STATUS OF WOMEN
HON KATE ELLIS MP
AND
MINISTER FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND AGEING
HON MARK BUTLER MP
28 October 2010

PROTECTING WORKING FAMILIES FROM DISCRIMINATION

Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, Minister for the Status of Women, Kate Ellis and the Minister for Mental Health and Ageing Mark Butler have visited a childcare centre to highlight the government’s efforts to tackle discrimination with the Sex and Age Discrimination Legislation Amendment Bill.

The Bill will provide greater protection for Australian working families by:

  • prohibiting discrimination on family responsibilities for both men and women in all areas of employment;
  • establishing breastfeeding as a separate ground of discrimination, allowing measures to be taken to accommodate the needs of breastfeeding mothers; and
  • establishing a stand-alone Age Discrimination Commissioner to encourage employers and the broader community to appreciate the important qualities older Australians have to offer.

The Bill reflects the Gillard Government’s commitment to take action to support working families and ensure there are adequate protections in place.  Likewise, to be competitive, it is in the interest of Australian workplaces to provide greater flexibility to workers to allow all Australians to fulfil their family and caring responsibilities.

Minister for Employment Participation and Childcare and Minister for the Status of Women Kate Ellis said that the Bill delivers on an election commitment to ensure that both women and men, regardless of their age, can confidently participate in the economic life of our nation, without fear of discrimination.

Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, Mark Butler said that the Government is committed to tackling age discrimination in all its forms through the creation, for the first time at the Federal level, of a dedicated Age Discrimination Commissioner.

Media Contact:          
Daniel Gleeson (McClelland)             0417 886 111
Jamila Rizvi (Ellis)                             0438 644 603
Samantha Regione (Butler)                0418 112 688