Equal Opportunity Commission of South Australia in Adelaide, South Australia | Government organisation

Equal Opportunity Commission of South Australia

Locality: Adelaide, South Australia

Phone: +61 8 8207 1977

Address: Level 15, 10 Franklin Street 5000 Adelaide, SA, Australia

Website: http://www.eoc.sa.gov.au

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25.01.2022 As workplace sexual harassment continues to make news, CityMag spoke with Equal Opportunity Commissioner Niki Vincent about how to identify workplace discrimination, including sexual harassment, and how the Equal Opportunity Commission can help.

25.01.2022 Helen Connolly, Commissioner for Children and Young People in South Australia has announced the release of the Commission for Children and Young People's 2019-2020 Annual Report and noted that "Despite the challenges associated with the impact of COVID-19, I am proud to tell you that more than 18,858 South Australian young people chose to engage with the work of my office throughout this reporting period. They did this through face-to-face and/or online consultations, within workshops, via a policy advocates program, as part of advisory groups, through citizen led research, community conversations, and through participation in an ‘action civics’ program." You can read more about the Commission's numerous other achievements in the report.

24.01.2022 This article in SBS online news reports that the Governor General has received requests to review the 2021 Australia Day honour given to controversial tennis great Margaret Court have been referred to the Australia Day Council. Noting that "Ms Court has been criticised for her comments regarding same-sex marriage and the LGBTQI community."

24.01.2022 The Australian Human Rights Commission and the Centre of Research Excellence in Disability and Health invite you to a webinar to discuss Australia’s next National Disability Strategy. The National Disability Strategy is a critical policy for Australia’s future. The new Strategy provides an opportunity for all levels of government in Australia to create meaningful opportunities for people with disability, recognise and respect human rights and ensure all Australians’ needs are... considered now and if the future. But people with disability need to provide constructive comment and innovative ideas to ensure this occurs. The Stage 2 Consultations of the National Disability Strategy are now open (https://engage.dss.gov.au/nds-stage2-consultation/) with a position paper having been released (https://engage.dss.gov.au//national-disability-strategy-p/). However, the position paper requires not just reflection on what has occurred under the previous Strategy but also what could take place in the future. The webinar will be held on 24 September from 1-3 pm over Zoom. Panellists will include: Senator the Hon Anne Ruston Minister for Families and Social Services Robert Fitzgerald AM NSW Ageing and Disability Commissioner Professor Karen Fisher Social Policy Research Centre, UNSW Damian Griffis CEO, First Peoples Disability Network Rosemary Kayess UN Committee Member on the Rights of Persons With Disabilities Professor Anne Kavanagh Chair in Disability and Health University of Melbourne Professor Gwynnyth Llewellyn Centre for Disability Research and Policy at the University of Sydney Edward Santow Human Rights Commissioner at the Australian Human Rights Commission Mary Sayers CEO, Children and Young People with Disability Australia Paula Tesoriero MNZM New Zealand Disability Discrimination Commissioner Ben Gauntlett, Disability Discrimination Commissioner will be facilitating the event and making some introductory and closing remarks.

24.01.2022 This ABC article highlights the continuing and abhorrent racism being experienced by Aboriginal Australian Rules football players. With Aboriginal players at the Port Noarlunga Football club, where Robert Muir, the former St Kilda star who has only recently spoken out about his experiences of racism in the AFL, was a coach, have slammed a penalty handed down after they were racially vilified by opposition supporters from the Flagstaff Hill Football Club at a game held earlier this month.

22.01.2022 Some more information about Dr Niki Vincent's appointment as Victoria's inaugural Public Sector Gender Equality Commissioner.

22.01.2022 This ABC news online article features stories of how Australians spent their Australia Day.

21.01.2022 In this article written by Fran Keyes of Hopgood Ganim (HG) lawyers she writes about a recent case where a pregnant employee’s unlawful termination was confirmed and her employer ordered to pay $52K compensation. Key issues: An Australian employer was ordered to pay $52,100 compensation to an employee who was pregnant at the time her employment was terminated. On 21 August 2020, the Full Bench of the Fair Work Commission in Compuworld Pty Ltd v Liu [2020] FWCFB 4250 refu...sed permission to the employer to appeal against the original 22 May decision of the Commission (Liu v Compuworld Pty Ltd [2020] FWC 2569).1 The decision highlights the risk for employers associated with improper handling of employees’ termination of employment. The employer might have avoided liability through: 1. having relevant policies and processes in place, 2. engaging with the employee in a properly conducted consultation process, and 3. having employment contracts setting out terms and conditions of employment. https://bit.ly/35egPAq See more

21.01.2022 "Throughout her 11-year stint on the AFL Commission, Mostyn served as a trailblazer for women in the game. She was a key part of the push to create the AFLW competition and helped develop the AFL's Respect and Responsibility policies. But back in 2005, the early days were tough. And in a pre-social media era, the negative feedback had a personal touch."

21.01.2022 Tracker News Headlines from March 11, 2021 reported that a sexual harassment complaint against 'The Laundry Chute' a Queensland based company has resulted in one of their former employee being "awarded around $51,000 in damages, including $5,000 for aggravated damages, for sexual harassment and sex discrimination at work. The claimant was subjected to escalating unwelcome sexual conduct from her boss and was denied work upon rejecting his advances. The sexual harassment incl...uded inappropriate touching, massage requests and explicit text messages. Direct discrimination on the basis of the employee’s sex was also found to have occurred. The Tribunal found that a male employee in the same circumstances would not have been subject to the same treatment by the employer. The employee was awarded $15,960.75 for economic loss, $15,000 for general damages and $5,000 for aggravated damages. Aggravated damages were awarded on the basis that there was an immense power imbalance between the parties. The transactional nature of the harassment was also relevant; either the employee would accede to the advances or she would not receive work. Source: Golding v Sippel and The Laundry Chute Pty Ltd [2021] QIRC 074, 9 March 202 [2021] QIRC 074, 9 March 202

20.01.2022 Here are some highlights from the latest newsletter from the Australian Human Rights Commission. To subscribe to their newsletter join their mailing list at: https://humanrights.gov.au/about/mailing-lists or for further information on their latest news visit their website at: https://humanrights.gov.au/ National Anti-Racism Framework plan launched ...Continue reading

19.01.2022 A bill seeking to ban LGBTQ conversion therapy in Canberra has been passed in the ACT Legislative Assembly, with Labor MLA and Uniting Church minister Gordon Ramsay choking back tears in the chamber.

19.01.2022 Sad news - Vale Helen Reddy

19.01.2022 The SA Attorney General, Vickie Chapman will consider submissions made during a recently closed public consultation on proposed new laws to to stop religious discrimination against LGBTIQ students and also clients of services under the SA Equal Opportunity Act, 1984.

18.01.2022 Today - Friday, 20 November 2020 is White Ribbon Day. White Ribbon Australia is calling on everyone in every community and every workplace across Australia to act to end violence against women and children. The SA Equal Opportunity Commission calls on every SA community and every SA workplace to act to do the same. Together we must end violence against women and children. If you or if you are concerned about someone else who maybe experiencing domestic or family violence you can call 1800RESPECT for help and support 24/7.

16.01.2022 Tomorrow, Saturday 13 September 2020 marks the 13th Anniversary of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples ( UNDRIP or DOTROIP) . The declaration "delineates and defines the individual and collective rights of Indigenous peoples, including their ownership rights to cultural and ceremonial expression, identity, language, employment, health, education and other issues." The current Black Lives Matter Movement both here in Australia and around the world, along with the ongoing structural racism experienced by our First Nations People on a daily basis highlights the importance for all Australians to uphold our commitment to the rights of Indigenous Peoples and the responsibilities enshrined in the declaration.

15.01.2022 Tonight, ABC's Australian Story will feature former Federal MP Kate Ellis telling her story about the toxic culture of misogyny, along with the harassment she experienced while serving in Federal Parliament.

15.01.2022 From today's Indaily News "Kohli demands action on racial abuse Indian superstar Virat Kohli wants strict action against any spectator found to have made racial slurs as the fallout from the SCG Test drama continues.... India made an official complaint to the ICC on Saturday night over alleged comments made to Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah on day three of the cricket match. The situation then escalated further on Sunday when Siraj claimed more abusive comments had been made to him just before tea, stopping play for eight minutes. The halt in play brought the issue to a head, with NSW Police and Cricket Australia launching separate investigations into the second incident. Racial abuse is absolutely unacceptable, Kohli tweeted. Having gone through many incidents of really pathetic things said on the boundary lines, this is the absolute peak of rowdy behaviour. It’s sad to see this happen on the field. The incident needs to be looked at with absolute urgency and seriousness and strict action against the offenders should set things straight for once. While back in India awaiting the birth of his child, captain Kohli was one of several India players to speak on the incident. Injured quick Mohammed Shami labelled the ongoing issue as disappointing and also called for strict action. Veteran Ravichandran Ashwin wants the matter to be dealt with using an iron fist and said the abuse of India players had been an issue his whole career in Sydney. If I take myself back to my first tour in 2011-12, I had no clue about racial abuse and how you can be made to feel small in front of so many people, Ashwin said. And the people actually laugh at you when you get abused, I had no idea what this was about. When I stood at the boundary line, you wanted to stand another 10 yards in to keep yourself away from these things. The SCG Trust is also investigating the matters, promising life bans for anyone found to have made racial remarks."

15.01.2022 Some practical tips for employers and employees on surviving the end of year office party from Joel Zyngier, national head of Gilchrist Connell’s Employment Practices Liability / Management Liability practice and Katrina Fitzgerald at Gilchrist Connell.

15.01.2022 "This report presents the findings of the thirteenth Scanlon Foundation Mapping Social Cohesion Survey conducted in 2020 (see commentary). It builds on the knowledge gained through the twelve earlier Scanlon Foundation surveys conducted in 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, providing for the first time in Australia a series of detailed surveys on social cohesion and population issues. It includes discussion of public opinion on social cohesion, trust, immigration, asylum seekers, and ethnic, cultural and religious diversity."

14.01.2022 A report into workplace harassment within State Parliament due to have been delivered yesterday has not even started despite being commissioned by Parliament itself six months ago. Equal Opportunity Commissioner Niki Vincent was invited by the Legislative Council in February to provide recommendations to stamp out harassment, victimisation and inappropriate behaviour among MPs and staffers. According to a SA Parliament Cultural Review Project Overview timeline tabled in... parliament, consent from both houses of parliament to launch the investigation was scheduled to be granted in early April, with a final report due on August 31. But Vincent is yet to start investigating, as she is still waiting for both houses to give her permission.

13.01.2022 While in no way diminishing the overwhelming number of and the significant impact on women who are the victims of domestic violence, this article in ABC News on-line, talks about men's experience as victims of domestic violence and in particular the lack of services currently available to those men who are victims. The article also quotes Anne Ruston, the Minister for Families and Social Services, who told ABC News that while the National Plan (to address and prevent domesti...c violence) has a particular focus on women because the rate at which women experience family, domestic and sexual violence is disproportionately high. However, violence perpetrated against anyone is completely unacceptable and as such the Government funds a range of services for men, women and their children including those from diverse communities, This includes Mensline, 1800RESPECT and 23 family violence services around Australia that provide counselling for anyone experiencing family violence. See more

12.01.2022 A timely article in Lawyers Weekly in advance of the release of the EOC's report following our review of the SA Legal Profession; about an inspirational speech delivered to some of Australia’s future, female lawyers, at the Australian National University’s (ANU) Law Students’ Society Women in Law Breakfast, by the ACT Supreme Court’s, Honourable Chief Justice Helen Gay Murrell SC. Who "urged the young women in the room to remember they are the beneficiaries of the many wome...n who have gone before you and that they have a responsibility to those who will come after you. Stating that "Between Australia’s first female lawyer Flos Greig, the High Court’s first female justice Mary Gaudron and even the first female Vice-President of the US Kamala Harris, there are plenty of role models for new, female lawyers to look to as they set out on a path of their own into a profession that works against them." See more

10.01.2022 This article in Womens Agenda reports that "Australia has fallen behind in every major dimension measured by the Global Gender Gap Index, except for educational attainment for women, where Australia has maintained its number 1 ranking. Compared to 2006 levels, in 2021 Australia fell from 12th to 70th in economic participation and opportunity, from 57th to 99th in health and survival, and from 32nd to 54th in political empowerment. With an overall ranking of 50, Australia sits... between Georgia at number 49, and Suriname at number 51. We sit well behind the United States, which comes in at number 30, Canada, which is ranked 24th, the UK at 23rd, France at 16th, South Africa at 18th and Mexico at 34th. " "With Australia’s top ranking for women’s educational attainment, there is a stark disconnect with the back slide in women’s economic participation. In 15 years, Australia has dropped a massive 58 spots on this dimension and is now sitting at a lowly 70th rank. According to the index, ‘economic participation and opportunity’ includes women’s labour force participation rate, wage equality, earned income, the number of women in managerial positions, and the amount of professional or technical workers."

10.01.2022 This article in Pro Bono News reports, that "Disability advocates have slammed proposed changes to the National Disability Insurance Scheme detailed in leaked draft legislation, amid fears the government plans to deny vulnerable people support and shut out the voices of advocacy groups."

10.01.2022 The team here at the Equal Opportunity Commission would like to extend our warmest congratulations to Dr Niki Vincent (Niki) on her appointment as the inaugural Public Sector Gender Equality Commissioner in Victoria. We will miss the energy Niki brought to the role, her outstanding leadership and the ongoing support she gave to our team during her time as our Commissioner. Most importantly we would like to acknowledge her unwavering passion for promoting equality, diversity and inclusion, and combating discrimination and harassment in the SA Community. We wish Niki all the very best in your new role.

10.01.2022 A recent study released by the Australian National University (reported in online news by Womens Agenda), "that used surveys done by the Australian Bureau of Statistics over more than a decade, reported that "women who are breadwinners are 35 per cent more likely to experience partner violence and are 20 per cent more likely to experience emotional abuse from their male partner." 'these findings are present across different ages, income groups, cultural and educational backgrounds." "The research highlights the potential danger women in heterosexual relationships face when the traditional male breadwinner norm is violated. It describes what is known as the male backlash phenomenon, that presents itself as men’s increased abuse towards women, in response to women’s increasing economic power."

09.01.2022 #DoMore is a call to action for Australians wanting to be more informed, more educated, and more engaged in challenging racism. The #DoMore Project will use the stories of Australians of all backgrounds to challenge existing beliefs and raise awareness of the impact of racism. By understanding how we can all do more, we’ll help create an equal future for all Australians.

09.01.2022 https://bcec.edu.au//gender-equity-insights-2021-making-i/ In this sixth BCEC|WGEA Gender Equity Insights report, Gender Equity Insights 2021: Making it a Priority, we uncover further insights about effective initiatives to improve gender equality across Australia’s workplaces, by identifying the top performers, who have consistently taken steps to improve gender equality outcomes over the last seven years.

09.01.2022 The 'International Students and Wage Theft Australia' report is "based on a survey of over 5,000 international students in 2019. The report reveals that, despite commitments to improve conditions, the overwhelming majority of international students are still subject to wage theft and poor employment conditions."

09.01.2022 'Resilience Against Racism' are launching a series of online workshops that aim to fill a gap in the mental health system by supporting people who experience racism but do not feel their situation is severe enough to see a counsellor or psychologist.

08.01.2022 This article features comments from Dr Niki Vincent, SA Commissioner for Equal Opportunity.

08.01.2022 This article published in InDaily reports that Chief Justice Chris Kourakis, the "state’s top judicial officer has fired back in an escalating row over a parliamentary inquiry that slammed the governance and workplace culture within SA’s Courts Administration Authority, as staff prepare to vote on a range of demands to expunge alleged bullying, harassment and unfair treatment from the workplace."

08.01.2022 Highlights from our work in the area of partnerships and projects in 2019- 2020. You can read more about our work in this and other areas in the Equal Opportunity Commission's 2019 2020 Annual report. Now available on the Commission's website at https://eoc.sa.gov.au/

08.01.2022 State Parliament’s newly-elected Speaker and President will be asked to urgently grant South Australia’s Equal Opportunity Commissioner permission to investigate workplace harassment in parliament weeks after a report was originally due to have been handed down.

08.01.2022 To celebrate Wear It Purple (WIP) day, on 2 September 2020, WSP's VIBE committee will be hosting a national panel highlighting some of their identifying staff in the LGBTQ+ community. This event is free. See below for more details. Note: WSP is a private sector company who acccording to their website offer creative, comprehensive and sustainable engineering solutions for a future where society can thrive. Matthew Salisbury (Regional Director SA & NT, WSP) is the Chair of the SA Chiefs for Gender Equity.

08.01.2022 https://data.wgea.gov.au/home This summary highlights the outcomes from the sixth BCEC|WGEA Gender Equity Insights report, Gender Equity Insights 2021: Making it a Priority

07.01.2022 There are many ways to take action in opposing racism. The ‘Racism. It Stops With Me’ website explains how individuals and organisations can be good allies and help prevent racism. See www.itstopswithme.humanrights.gov.au #ItStopsWithMe

07.01.2022 https://www.sbs.com.au//aboriginal-actors-detail-experienc Aboriginal actors Shareena Clanton and Meyne Wyatt have alleged they experienced racism while working on the long-running Australian television soap Neighbours.

06.01.2022 Resilience Against Racism' are launching a series of online workshops that aim to fill a gap in the mental health system by supporting people who experience racism but do not feel their situation is severe enough to see a counsellor or psychologist.

06.01.2022 Here is the first edition of the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability, newsletter, Connect, for 2021.

05.01.2022 The latest World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report released in March 2021, reports that, Australia has fallen behind in every major dimension measured by the Global Gender Gap Index, and now ranks 50th out of 156 countries. This is down from our 2006 rating of 15th. Page 103 of the report has a summary of Australia's current results on the index.

05.01.2022 Each year to build on the actions of White Ribbon Day, the United Nations Secretary General launches the UNiTE campaign. Arguably this campaign is even more important in 2020, following the impact of "lockdown measures introduced to curb the COVID-19 pandemic, that show an alarming increase in the already existing pandemic of violence against women". "The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign that kicks off on 25 November, the ...International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until 10 December, Human Rights Day. It was started by activists at the inaugural Women’s Global Leadership Institute in 1991 and continues to be coordinated each year by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership. It is used as an organizing strategy by individuals and organizations around the world to call for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls." The campaign runs through until Human Rights Day on 10 December 2020, highlighting that violence against women and girls is one of the most universal breaches of human rights across the world.

04.01.2022 As part of their Road to Employment initiative, Purple Orange have produced this podcast episode which explores the experiences of Daniella Biagi, Manager at BDO, in getting her first job. A great 10 minute listen about disability and employment -

04.01.2022 White Ribbon Day 2020 - Video - to watch, download and share.

02.01.2022 The Working Women's Centre (WWC) is calling on individuals and organisations to help them lead the way on a COVID recovery for young women by being part of our young women’s employment project. They are kicking off the project with an online seminar next week about young women & COVID. Everyone is welcome - register your attendance to be part of it! The WWC notes that: The impact of COVID19 on young women has been devastating and disproportionate. When it comes to finding w...ork in the wake of the pandemic, young women are in a worse position than any other age and gender demographic. The pandemic has hit every aspect of their lives. We know that if the COVID recovery helps women, it will be better for the economy and better for our communities. Through this project, we will be conducting research, advocacy and supporting young women to be heard by decision-makers. To help us influence decision makers to prioritise young women, we need as many supporters on board as possible. Everyone is welcome - register your attendance to be part of it by clicking on the link below. https://bit.ly/3iS00iJ See more

01.01.2022 Another great podcast from Purple Orange - in which Carey Scheer asks the question - "What do you think might motivate employers to hire people living with disability? It's pretty recognised that diversity strengthens creativity. It's also good for the employer's reputation. Research shows people think favourably about businesses that hire people living with disability. There are even some programs with incentives where they might subsidise an employee's wage for a period of time to encourage more employers to give people living with disability a go. But, when I went to check out one workplace that regularly hires people living with disability, Drakes Supermarket in Hallett Cove, I discovered the manager had another motivation. It's very simple, totally practical- something that makes his life easier."

01.01.2022 A survey of 25,000 Young Australians aged 15-19 by Mission Australia found that discrimination was the number one concern for Young people in Australia in 2020.

01.01.2022 Brad Chilcott Executive Director White Ribbon Australia, delivers his White Ribbon Day 2020 call to action ahead of today.