Advancing the Positive Duty
Description
This conversation between Dr Anna Cody and Liz Broderick will explore the significant advancements in Australia following the amendment to the Sex Discrimination Act (1984), specifically focusing on the positive duty for sexual harassment prevention. The discussion will highlight the legal and social implications of this change, the challenges organisations face in compliance, and the evolving role of leadership in fostering safer workplaces. By drawing on their extensive expertise, they will provide critical insights into the future of gender equality and the prevention of sexual harassment in Australia and advancing the positive duty.
Dr. Anna Cody
Australian Sex Discrimination Commissioner
Dr Cody started as Australia’s Sex Discrimination Commissioner in September 2023.
Before this, Dr Cody had a distinguished career as an academic, as a lawyer specialising in discrimination and as a passionate advocate for human rights. Her work over the years has included substantial advocacy to various United Nations human rights committees when they have reviewed Australia’s and other nations’ fulfilment of their human rights obligations.
Most recently she was the Dean of the School of Law and Professor at Western Sydney University for 4.5 years, leading education and research impact within the School to better reflect the diversity of the community and the intersection of law and justice.
Elizabeth Broderick
Principal
Elizabeth is a globally acknowledged leader, social innovator and advocate who has delivered major change initiatives in complex political, social and organisational environments including in government, private sector, academic, military and community sectors.
A former Australian Sex Discrimination Commissioner (2007-2015), Elizabeth has worked to break down structural and systemic barriers faced by women and men, and to promote gender equality in all aspects of society.
As principal of Elizabeth Broderick & Co. she has led significant reviews of workplace culture in global organisations across the private, public and NGO sectors.
She established and convenes the ‘Champions of Change’ coalition, a strategy engaging over 260 CEOs and their organisations to lead on diversity, equity and inclusion.
From 2017 – 2023, Elizabeth