Ai Group welcomed the opportunity to make a submission to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Senate Committee’s inquiry into the Anti-Discrimination and Human Rights Legislation Amendment (Respect at Work) Bill 2022 (Bill).

Ai Group acknowledges and supports the extensive and important work of the Sex Discrimination Commissioner, Kate Jenkins, and her team at the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) in preparing the Respect@Work Report. The Report is of significant public importance and following the global #MeToo movement, created a turning point for how the community and workplaces view sexual harassment.

The Bill reflects the Australian Government's election commitment to implement the outstanding legislative amendments contained in the Sex Discrimination Commissioner’s Respect@Work Report.

Ai Group acknowledges the mandate for the Australian Government to implement the Bill and we support the policy intent behind it.

However, the Bill as currently drafted poses unintended consequences of public importance.