Government commenced Equal Employment Opportunity Act review public consultations

Tanya Plibersek, today called upon businesses, unions, employers, employees, women’s groups and other interested parties to put their views forward in the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Act 1999 (EOWW Act) and Agency (EOWA) review.

Ms Plibersek today commenced the public consultation phase of the review by releasing the EOWA Review Issues Paper.

The purpose of the review is to examine the effectiveness and efficiency of the Act,” Ms Plibersek said.

The Australian Government wants to ensure that regulation is working, is well-targeted and cost-efficient.

Over the last decade, the EOWA has worked with thousands of large businesses to improve opportunities for women in the workplace.

These employers are now reaping the benefits by attracting and retaining the best talent, improving morale and increasing employee effectiveness.

At the same time, there has been a vast array of economic, social and legislative changes since the last review of the legislation in 1998.

The Government remains concerned about pay equity, work and family balance and the decline in women in executive leadership roles,” Ms Plibersek said.

The review will investigate what’s working and where we may need a new approach.

A key focus of the review will be finding better ways to help employers implement equal employment opportunity in their organisations.

To do this, the Government needs to hear from individuals and organisations who have views on the legislation.

Responses to the issues paper are invited until 16 October 2009.

Targeted roundtable and individual consultations will occur over the following months.

The EOWA Review Issues Paper is available on the FaHCSIA website.