Equal opportunity/ gender equity page 8 of 15

The Morrison Government has confirmed that by the end of the month it will release legislative changes flowing from its Respect@Work response, which will include amendments to the Fair Work Act, while a new Human Rights Commission report released today recommends that company boards take over primary responsibility and accountability from HR and chief executives for preventing sexual harassment.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has promised to act on a report that found the protections for State ministerial staff against bullying and harassment are "unclear, ineffective and inadequate".

A gender equity expert is questioning whether Australia's IR laws are capable of supporting equal pay orders that extend beyond minimum rates, after the FWC rejected an equal remuneration claim for early childhood teachers but flagged a possible work value rise.

Former Victorian women's minister Mary Wooldridge is set to take over from Libby Lyons as head of the Workplace Gender Equality Agency.

Unions and gender equality activists will push the Morrison Government to move quickly to introduce legal obligations for employers to prevent sexual harassment and assault at work.

The Morrison Government says it has adopted the 55 recommendations "wholly, in part, or in principle" in Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins' landmark report on sexual harassment.

The FWC has refused an ANMF and UWU bid to delay an aged care work value case to provide more time for collaboration - as urged by the Aged Care Royal Commission - after the HSU said it would be "premature" and inefficient.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison says he is seeking more advice on the status of IR Minister and Attorney-General, Christian Porter, as his government comes under further pressure to act on alleged sexism and harassment in Parliament House.

The FWC will hold a directions hearing on Friday into an ANMF bid to add the nursing award to an aged care work value case and win more time to negotiate an agreed position with the Morrison Government and employers, as urged by the Aged Care Royal Commission.

Jenkins differs from AFP on duty to report assaults; Victoria to consult on new harassment reporting duty; Grattan calls for inquiry into care industry pay; and Blowout in gender pay gap over 15 years, says ACTU.