Mark Dreyfus (Isaacs, Australian Labor Party, Cabinet Secretary) Share this | Hansard source

Section 35A of the bill sets out the education, research, public engagement and compliance functions of the Australian Human Rights Commission in relation to the positive duty.

The amendment proposed by the member for Fowler would impose two requirements on the commission with respect to how it is to perform these functions. These include having regard to providing its guidance material on the positive duty in multiple languages and to the cultural diversity of Australian workplaces. The amendment is consistent with the existing approach of the commission when undertaking its education, research and public engagement functions.

The commission does publish its materials in multiple languages and engages with a diverse range of businesses, individuals and the community as a whole. In addition, the commission already has regard to the diversity of Australian workplaces when exercising its existing functions. The commission adopts an intersectional approach when exercising its functions, and I very much expect that the commission will continue to do so in relation to the positive duty. The government supports this amendment.

Question agreed to.

Bill, as amended, agreed to.

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