25th Anniversary of the Sex Discrimination Act (Cth) 1984
SDA 25th Anniversary timeline
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Date | Details |
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17 July 1980 |
Australia signs the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). |
2 June 1983 |
The first draft of the Sex Discrimination Bill 1983 (Cth) is introduced into the Senate by the Government. |
16 December 1983 |
The Sex Discrimination Bill passes the Senate. |
21 March 1984 |
The Sex Discrimination Bill receives royal assent. |
1 August 1984 |
The Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (SDA) comes into effect. The position of Sex Discrimination Commissioner in created by the SDA. Pam O'Neil is appointed as the first Sex Discrimination Commissioner. |
15 July 1985 |
Australia ratifies the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. |
1988 |
Quentin Bryce is appointed as Sex Discrimination Commissioner. |
16 December 1992 |
The SDA is amended to extend the prohibition of sexual harassment; allow for representative complaints; bring industrial awards under the act and introduce conciliation as a method for addressing victimisation. |
1993 |
Sue Walpole is appointed as Sex Discrimination Commissioner. |
1995 |
The SDA is amended to incorporate a preamble that recognises the need to prohibit discrimination and a statement on equality; include potential pregnancy as a ground of discrimination; include a definition of indirect discrimination and allow for special measures. |
1997 |
Moira Scollay is appointed as Acting Sex Discrimination Commissioner. |
1998 |
Susan Halliday is appointed as Sex Discrimination Commissioner. |
2001 |
Pru Goward is appointed as Sex Discrimination Commissioner. |
2002 |
The SDA is amended to ensure discrimination on the grounds of breastfeeding is prohibited in the SDA and prohibit the request information about pregnancy or potential pregnancy. |
2007 |
The Hon. John von Doussa is appointed as acting Sex Discrimination Commissioner. Elizabeth Broderick is appointed as Sex Discrimination Commissioner. |
2008 |
The Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs report from the Inquiry into the effectiveness of the SDA eliminating discrimination and promoting gender equality recommends a range of changes to improve the SDA. |
2009 |
The SDA turns 25 |