Caretaker conventions now in place

The Australian Government is operating in accordance with caretaker conventions ahead of the 2025 federal election. New material issued after 9am 28 March 2025, including transcripts, speeches and media releases, will not be available on this site. This information is usually available on the Australian Labor Party website, which is not maintained or funded by the Australian Government.

Kate Jenkins

The Hon Mark Dreyfus KC MP
Media Release

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 pays tribute to the remarkable contribution of Kate Jenkins as she completes her seven years as Sex Discrimination Commissioner.

Ms Jenkins leaves a legacy of making Australia a better and fairer place, especially for women in the workplace.

Kate Jenkins’ landmark Respect@Work inquiry exploded the myth that sexual harassment was an inevitability women had to accept at work by outlining reforms to make workplaces safer for everyone.

In 2022 the Albanese Government legislated these Respect@Work laws creating a statutory duty for employers to provide workplaces free from sexual harassment.

Sexual harassment is not inevitable – it is preventable. Without the hard work of Kate Jenkins and the victim survivors who told her of their experiences, these laws would not exist.

When widespread reports of sexual assault, harassment and bullying were exposed in the nation’s Parliament it was Kate Jenkins’ Set the Standard review that once again laid down the path to a better, safer and more respectful workplace.

Ms Jenkins has also completed important reports into sexual harassment in Australian universities and Australian gymnastics and has led projects on cultural reform with the Australian Defence Force, Australian Federal Police and Australian Border Force.

Kate Jenkins has been an extraordinary Sex Discrimination Commissioner who has worked tirelessly to combat discrimination and there is no doubt her work has significantly advanced gender equality in Australia. She ends her term with the sincere thanks of the Albanese Labor Government for improving the lives of Australian women.