Kate Ellis (Adelaide, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Employment Participation and Childcare) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you very much for the question. As the member might be aware, the appointments, and indeed the appropriation, which cover the Sex Discrimination Commissioner and the forthcoming Age Discrimination Commissioner are covered by the Attorney-General's Department, so it is a question that the member might want to direct elsewhere. However, I would take this opportunity to respond to the issue of relieving the Sex Discrimination Commissioner of her duties. I make clear and get on the record that we appreciate the role that Elizabeth Broderick has been doing—

A division having been called in the House of Representatives—

Sitting suspended from 11 : 41 to 12 : 04

As I was saying before the suspension, I would like to make it very clear that, while Elizabeth Broderick has previously operated as both Sex Discrimination Commissioner and Age Discrimination Commissioner, the fact that we are splitting these roles is in absolutely no way a reflection on her and her performance; in fact, it is quite the contrary. Elizabeth Broderick has made clear just how important both of these issues are, and the government is incredibly active in both these fields. The government recognises that discrimination against older Australians continues to exist in the community, and that is why we are making sure they have their own dedicated commissioner.

Members would be aware that we have a lot of activity in this area. We have announced the Experience Plus package with special incentives and training and support to make sure mature-age Australians who want to keep active in the workforce are able to do so. As well as that, there are all of our ongoing programs. I will leave it to the Attorney-General to make announcements in his portfolio about the timing and naming of the Age Discrimination Commissioner, so that is something the member may wish to put to him. But I put on record my great personal gratitude to Elizabeth Broderick for her advocacy in this area. I am very grateful that I will get to continue working with her as Sex Discrimination Commissioner.

See this speech in context