Page 4012 - Week 10 - Thursday, 20 September 2018
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A number of actions in the First Action Plan, particularly those to be implemented through year two, have a focus on changes to practices within the ACT public service which relate to gender equality. In addition to changing internal practices, these actions will also focus on improving understanding of the gendered impact of government policies and programs and guide greater gender awareness in the development of future initiatives.
Many of these actions are the responsibility of all directorates and will be developed and implemented across Government to support greater cohesion and dissemination.
The ACT Women’s Plan and the First Action Plan can be found at www.communityservices.act.gov.au/women/womens-plan-2016-26
As noted in the Action Plan, all government directorates have a commitment to deliver a range of actions over the life of the plan.
Women—government support
(Question No 1648)
Mrs Kikkert asked the Minister for Women, upon notice, on 17 August 2018:
(1) What measures will the Government take (in line with recommendations made by YWCA Canberra in their May 2018 report, titled “Leading the Change: the pathway to gender equality”) to incentivise and support companies in introducing progressive paid parental leave entitlements that (a) “encourage shared care arrangements”, (b) “build a culture that normalises male employee’s uptake” and (c) “supports the development of the bond between mother and child”.
(2) Will the Government consider enacting a Gender Equality Act (as recommended by YWCA Canberra) that is informed by evidence-based international models and includes tangible quotas and target; if so, which international models might inform such an Act, and what quotas and targets might guide the Act; if not, what is the reason for rejecting this recommendation.
(3) Will the ACT Government follow in the stead of the Commonwealth Government and also expressly preclude non-compliant employers of the Workplace Gender Equality Act 2012 from tendering for government contracts; if so, where and when will this preclusion be published; if not, why not.
(4) Will the Government re-consider employers with a history of substantiated sexual harassment claims and breaches of discrimination law tendering for ACT Government contracts; if so, what is the process of reconsideration in such cases.
Ms Berry: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:
(1) The ACT Government is committed to improving gender equality in all avenues of society including in the workplace. There are a number of actions to be delivered through the First Action Plan 2017-19 under the ACT Women’s Plan 2016-26, which will support improved gender equality within the ACT public service, in other workplaces and the broader community.
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