The Australian Government yesterday announced the commencement of consultation on workplace gender equality reporting requirements under the Workplace Gender Equality Act 2012.

In a statement released yesterday, the Minister for Employment, Senator Eric Abetz, said the consultation with stakeholders will identify opportunities to streamline reporting requirements to ensure that the information obtained will drive change and represent the best value for effort.

“We gave a commitment to engage with stakeholders because our priority is to ensure that gender reporting delivers real benefits in the workplace to employees and employers,” Senator Abetz said.

Following her recent address to DCA’s Gender Reporting Network where she spoke about her support for gender reporting, yesterday’s statement emphasised the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Women, Senator Michaelia Cash’s commitment to gender equality.

“Evidence shows that in addition to the clear economic benefits of gender equality, organisations that have a diverse workforce attract and retain high performers,” Senator Cash said.

“It is important to ensure these reporting and compliance measures are collecting data that is effective, rather than just more data without consideration of whether it will achieve any real results.”

The Government has made a commitment that workplace gender equality reporting will remain in place. The purpose of the consultation is to identify opportunities to streamline reporting requirements to ensure gender reporting drives results in the workplace, and represents value for effort.

This article was originally published on Diversity Council Australia 16th May 2014 Read the original article

For more information, to make a submission, or participate in the Government’s survey of reporting organisations visit Department of Employement

Is this a step in the right direction and will it improve the current numbers of Women in leadership positions?