Kate Jenkins, Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission

Kate Michelle Jenkins AO (born 1968) has been the Sex Discrimination Commissioner at the Australian Human Rights Commission since 2016.[1] Previously, she was Commissioner at the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission.[2] Jenkins is also on the Board of Berry Street Victoria – the state's largest independent child and family welfare organisation[3] – and a member of the boards of Heide Museum of Modern Art and Carlton Football Club.[4]

In January 2020, Jenkins handed to the Morrison government her Respect@Work report,[5] described by the ABC as “a landmark national inquiry into sexual harassment in workplaces by the Australian Human Rights Commission”.

In November of 2021, Jenkins lead a review of the Parliament House's workplace culture following the 2021 Australian Parliament House sexual misconduct allegations.[6] Alongside former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins, both called out the Australian Parliament House for various cases of misconduct.

Law career

Before accepting the role of Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commissioner, Jenkins was the lead equal opportunity partner at Herbert Smith Freehills'. There, she led the firm’s Melbourne Women in Business group for more than a decade and was the lead employment partner in the firm’s pro bono community program.[7]

Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission

Jenkins is the convener of the Victorian Male Champions of Change,[8] the Chair of the Independent Review into sex discrimination and sexual harassment, including predatory behaviour in Victoria Police[9][10] and the Co-Chair of Play by the Rules. She is also the Co-Chair of the Commission’s Disability Reference Group and a member of the Aboriginal Justice Forum.[2]

She was recognised in the Australian Financial Review and Westpac 100 Women of Influence Awards for 2015 for her contribution in addressing equal opportunity and human rights issues in Victoria.[11]

In October 2015 Jenkins was appointed to the board of Carlton Football Club, where she has promised to work towards creating a female team for the upcoming women's AFL competition.[12]

Jenkins was a signatory to a statement by the Australian Council of Human Rights Authorities defending the independence and supporting the work of the Australian Human Rights Commission.[13]

Honours

Jenkins was appointed as an Officer of the Order of Australia in the 2023 King's Birthday Honours for "distinguished service to human rights governance, to advancing gender equity, to the promotion of inclusivity, and to the law".[14]

References

  1. ↑ "Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins | Australian Human Rights Commission". humanrights.gov.au. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  2. 1 2 "The Commissioner - Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission". Humanrightscommission.vic.gov.au. 18 October 2012. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
  3. ↑ "Board Members". Berry Street. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
  4. ↑ "Kate Jenkins joins Carlton Board". Carltonfc.com.au. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
  5. ↑ Respect@Work report
  6. ↑ Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins to lead review into Parliament House workplace culture
  7. ↑ "HSF partner appointed Vic HR Commissioner". Lawyersweekly.com.au. 2 September 2013. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
  8. ↑ Shane Green (14 April 2015). "Human rights commissioner Kate Jenkins names AFL chief Gill McLachlan among 19 male champions of women in the workplace". Theage.com.au. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
  9. ↑ "Police sex discrimination 'a serious problem'". News.com.au. 20 October 2015. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
  10. ↑ "What Kate Jenkins, Human Rights commissioner, learned about discrimination". afr.com. 24 September 2015. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
  11. ↑ "2015 Event". 100 Women of Influence. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
  12. ↑ Caroline Wilson (19 October 2015). "Carlton put equal opportunity commissioner Kate Jenkins on board". Theage.com.au. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
  13. ↑ Shane Green (13 February 2015). "Victoria's human rights commissioner vigorously defends national watchdog's independence". Theage.com.au. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
  14. ↑ "King's Birthday 2023 Honours - the full list". Sydney Morning Herald. Nine Entertainment Co. 11 June 2023. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
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