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Sex Discrimination and Fair Work (Respect at Work) Amendment Bill 2021


Type
Government
Originating house
Senate
Status
Act
Portfolio
Attorney-General

Summary

Implements certain recommendations of the Australian Human Rights Commission report, Respect@Work: National Inquiry into Sexual Harassment in Australian Workplaces by amending the: Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986 to: amend the definition of 'unlawful discrimination'; and extend the period of time between an alleged incident and the lodging of a complaint in relation to the President's discretion to terminate a complaint; Fair Work Act 2009 to: provide that a worker who is sexually harassed at work may apply for a Fair Work Commission (FWC) order to stop the sexual harassment; provide that the FWC can make an order to stop sexual harassment following a single instance of sexual harassment; provide that sexual harassment in connection with an employee’s employment can be a valid reason for dismissal; and extend the minimum entitlement for compassionate leave in relation to miscarriage; and Sex Discrimination Act 1984 to: prohibit discrimination involving harassment on the ground of sex; extend the application of the Act to members of parliament, members of the ACT and Northern Territory legislative assemblies and their staff, judges, staff and consultants employed under the Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984, state employees, including independent contractors; and the public authority of a state; and include definitions of 'worker' and 'persons conducting a business or undertaking' to extend the protection from sexual harassment to all paid and unpaid workers, including volunteers, interns and the self-employed.

Progress of bill

For committee reference information, please see the Notes section at the end of this page.

Senate
Introduced and read a first time 24/06/21  
Second reading moved 24/06/21  
Second reading debate 31/08/21  
Second reading debate 01/09/21  
Second reading agreed to 01/09/21  
Committee of the Whole debate 01/09/21 Amendment details: 1 Government agreed to
Third reading agreed to 01/09/21  
     
House of Representatives
Introduced and read a first time 02/09/21  
Second reading moved 02/09/21  
Second reading debate 02/09/21  
Second reading agreed to 02/09/21  
Consideration in detail debate 02/09/21  
Third reading agreed to 02/09/21  
     
Finally passed both Houses 02/09/21  
Assent 10/09/21 Act no: 104 - Year: 2021
     

Text of bill

  • First reading

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  • Third reading

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  • As passed by both Houses

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Explanatory memoranda

  • Explanatory memorandum

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  • Supplementary explanatory memorandum

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  • Revised explanatory memorandum

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Second reading speeches


Proposed amendments

Senate
  • Australian Greens [sheet 1434]
WATERS, Sen Larissa

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  • Australian Greens [sheet 1433]
WATERS, Sen Larissa

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  • Australian Greens [sheet 1427]
RICE, Sen Janet

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  • Australian Greens [sheet 1373]
RICE, Sen Janet

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  • Australian Greens [sheet 1372]
WATERS, Sen Larissa

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  • Australian Greens [sheet 1371 revised]
WATERS, Sen Larissa

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  • Australian Greens [sheet 1370]
WATERS, Sen Larissa

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  • Australian Greens [sheet 1368]
WATERS, Sen Larissa

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  • Australian Greens [sheet 1367]
WATERS, Sen Larissa

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  • Australian Greens/Opposition [sheet 1369 revised]
WATERS, Sen Larissa
MCALLISTER, Sen Jenny

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  • Government [sheet QL186]

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  • Opposition [sheet 1405]
MCALLISTER, Sen Jenny

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  • Opposition [sheet 1399]
MCALLISTER, Sen Jenny

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  • Opposition [sheet 1382]
MCALLISTER, Sen Jenny

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  • Opposition [sheet 1381]
MCALLISTER, Sen Jenny

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  • Opposition [sheet 1432]
MCALLISTER, Sen Jenny

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  • Opposition [sheet 1385]
MCALLISTER, Sen Jenny

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House of Representatives
  • Non-Government
BURKE, Tony, MP

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Schedules of amendments

Bills Digest



Notes