Reappointment Of Gender Equality Commissioner

Victoria’s inaugural Public Sector Gender Equality Commissioner Dr Niki Vincent has been reappointed as part of the Allan Labor Government’s work to drive equality.

The role of the Public Sector Gender Equality Commissioner was established in 2020 and promotes gender equality across the public sector and the broader community.

Dr Vincent has overseen the implementation of Victoria’s Gender Equality Act 2020 which includes obligations for public sector organisations to make lasting and genuine progress towards gender equality.

This includes the introduction of biannual workplace gender equality audits and a reporting platform for more than 300 Victorian public sector organisations, including government departments, local councils, hospitals and universities.

Organisations’ data on workplace audits and plans to address the gender pay gap, workplace sexual harassment and gender inequality in leadership are made publicly available, and they must report on their progress every two years. The Commissioner will release key findings from the first two years of reporting later this year.

The reporting platform holds more than one hundred million pieces of data on the state and nature of gender inequality in Victoria, making it the most comprehensive dataset of its kind.

Dr Vincent has met with hundreds of organisations across the state to support their efforts for a fairer future for women and girls.

More information on the work of the Gender Equality Commissioner can be found at genderequalitycommission.vic.gov.au.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Women Natalie Hutchins

“Dr Vincent has done a power of work in only four years to implement the Gender Equality Act that has laid the groundwork to bring about real and positive change, not just in the public sector but in Victoria more broadly.”

“We look forward to working with Dr Vincent for another term to ensure the momentum she has built continues to deliver on the promise of the Act and the work of the Commission.”

Quotes attributable to Public Sector Gender Equality Commissioner Niki Vincent

“For the first four years, my focus has been on helping organisations grow their understanding of gender inequality, its impacts in the workplace and broader community, and in building their capabilities to drive meaningful change.

“With this foundational work in place, I am sharpening my focus as a regulator to reduce the harms that result from gender inequality, and as we move into the next cycle, I will expect to see much greater progress showing up in the quantitative data we collect.”