A Bill proposed late last year by the Commonwealth government would require employers with 500 or more employees to set, act upon and achieve defined gender equality targets.
If enacted, it would be the first national scheme of its kind globally.
On 22 January SAGE CEO Dr Janin Bredehoeft will offer insights into the proposed legislation to the Senate Finance and Public Administration References Committee’s inquiry into the Workplace Gender Equality Amendment (Setting Gender Equality Targets) Bill 2024.
SAGE applauds the attempt to establish measurable gender equity targets with which to hold large Australian organisations accountable. However, our experience supporting system-changing equity measures in large institutions shows us that targets alone are not enough to make sustainable change, and may even mask equity issues.
Our submission calls for nuanced approaches, partnerships with experienced and supportive accrediting bodies, adequate resourcing to support organisations to meet the new targets.
We also recommend the strengthening of consequences for non-compliance, including linking grant funding to targets.
