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AAP
AAP
Politics
Andrew Brown

Sex discrimination commissioner hailed as 'trailblazer'

Outgoing Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins spearheaded the landmark Respect@Work report. (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

Outgoing sex discrimination commissioner Kate Jenkins is being honoured as a trailblazer who improved workplace conditions for women.

Ms Jenkins' seven-year term in the role will officially end on Sunday.

During her tenure, she spearheaded the landmark Respect@Work report in 2020, which looked at the impact of sexual harassment in Australian workplaces.

The report led to 55 recommendations, with legislation enacting the changes passing parliament last year.

As part of the legislation, employers now have a statutory duty to provide workplace environments that are free from sexual harassment.

Ms Jenkins also led the review into workplace culture for parliamentary staff in 2021, following the alleged sexual assault of former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins.

Parliament implemented behavioural codes of conduct in the wake of the review.

In a joint statement, Minister for Women Katy Gallagher and Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus said Ms Jenkins had made a remarkable contribution to public service.

"Ms Jenkins leaves a legacy of making Australia a better and fairer place, especially for women in the workplace," the statement said.

"Kate Jenkins has been an extraordinary sex discrimination commissioner who has worked tirelessly to combat discrimination and there is no doubt her work has significantly advanced gender equality in Australia."

Ms Jenkins also oversaw reports on sexual harassment in Australian universities and gymnastics and led cultural reform projects with the Australian Defence Force and federal police.

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