2024-09-19
Almost a year after introduction, the Greens welcome passage of new court costs rules which will improve workers’ rights to enforce workplace discrimination laws.
The costs rules in the Bill which passed today are what the Greens and many advocates were calling for last year, and will ensure that no-one is priced out of fighting sexual harassment in the workplace.
Lines attributable to Greens Senate leader and spokesperson on women, Senator Larissa Waters
“Providing more options for victims of sexual harassment to make complaints doesn’t change things if women cannot afford to make complaints.
“These new laws change the rules about who pays court costs in a way that will help workers assert their rights at work.
“Workers sexually harassed or discriminated against at work will now be able to seek justice and not be in danger of having to pay the other side’s costs if they lose. But if they win, they will have their court costs paid for by their dodgy employer.
“Without this ‘modified equal access’ costs model in place, many workers, particularly women, weigh up the trauma and financial risk and decide to stay silent.
“The Greens pressured the Government a year ago to dump their original costs provisions, and to review and reconsider them.
“That pressure has paid off, and we are so pleased that this Bill will ensure no-one is priced out of fighting for their rights at work, whether that be for sexual harassment or any other type of discrimination.
“The model in this Bill will help protect young women and help set the standard for workplace behaviour by deterring misconduct by employers.
“I am so proud to see our fight for changes to costs protections has resulted in this win for women and any worker experiencing harassment in the workplace.
“We welcome this last piece of the puzzle in improving women’s safety at work, after the landmark Respect at Work report four and a half years ago.
“Women deserve to be safe at work, at home, on the streets, and everywhere. Legal change is important but so is cultural change to end discrimination and the epidemic of violence against women.”