Respect@work amendments

Minister for Finance
Minister for Women
Minister for the Public Service
Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher

Attorney-General
Cabinet Secretary
The Hon Mark Dreyfus KC MP

Joint media release

The Albanese Government is committed to ending sexual harassment at work by legislating the Anti-Discrimination and Human Rights Legislation (Respect@Work) Bill.

Everyone has the right to a safe and respectful workplace and the fact that workplaces have not been safe or respectful for so many Australians is unacceptable.

We have carefully considered the recommendations of the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee and listened to stakeholder concerns in relation to the cost protection provisions currently in the bill, which are based on a recommendation of the Australian Human Rights Commission.

As a result of these considerations the Government will move amendments to remove the existing cost provision from the bill.

The Government will refer the issue of costs in discrimination proceedings to the Attorney-General’s Department for review. That review will begin immediately and be completed in May 2023. We intend to legislate the costs model recommended by that review as quickly as possible.

This is a government that listens to women and advocates.

We look forward to further constructive engagement on this issue through the review process.