Equality Rights Alliance

President of the Australian Human Rights Commission to leave in July 2012

The President of the Australian Human Rights Commission Catherine Branson QC is expected to leave the position of Commission President at the end of July 2012.

President Branson’s departure is to enable her to spend more time with her family. Ms Branson commenced her five-year term as President on 14 October 2008. She also commenced as Human Rights Commissioner on 12 July 2009.

In order to immediately boost the supply of affordable housing, and prevent a downturn in the building industry, where private investment in dwellings is expected to halve in the 2012-13 financial year, Australians for Affordable Housing is calling on the Government to fund an immediate a $2.5 billion stimulus payment in the 2012-13 budget to deliver 8,300 social housing properties. This would boost the capacity of the social housing sector, pave the way for future reform and help to prevent a downturn in building activity.

The community sector has hailed yesterday’s decision by Fair Work Australia in the landmark equal pay case for community sector workers.

"It’s an historic day for women workers in Australia,” said Dr. Caroline Lambert, Executive Director of YWCA Australia, “we are hopeful that this decision will significantly reduce the gender wage gap in Australia."

Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency (EOWA) Director, Helen Conway, is calling on employers to take a long, hard look at their remuneration practices following the release of figures that show female graduates are paid up to 14.3% LESS than their male counterparts.

“Graduate Careers Australia figures demonstrate that, from day one, female employees are behind the eight-ball across a range of industries when it comes to salaries, earning an average of $2000 less per year than males,” Ms Conway said.

Expressions of interest are sought for participation in a mental health Consumer Reference Group.The reference group will provide advice to an existing well-established non-government body, which will be responsible for establishing the infrastructure of the new national mental health consumer organisation.

The Department of Health and Ageing is coordinating expressions of interest through an on-line process. Information about the role of the reference group and how to apply is available  at www.health.gov.au/mentalhealth.