Category Archives: Employment

Fiona Simson elected first female president of National Farmers Federation

In November 2016, Fiona Simson was elected as the first female president of the National Farmers Federation. She was the NFF’s first female president in its 37-year history, after also being the first woman to lead the New South Wales … Continue reading

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Rural Women’s Unit established in Department of Agriculture

In 1995, the Australian government established a Rural Women’s Unit in its agricultural department. This had the effect of increasing women’s visibility in departmental programs and training.

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Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics (ABARE) collected information about women on farms for the first time

In 1994, the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics (ABARE) collected information about women on farms as part of its wider Farm Surveys. This was the first time that such data about the contribution of women on farms had … Continue reading

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Australian Women in Agriculture established

In 1993, Australian Women in Agriculture was established. Australian Women in Agriculture originally operated for five years as an association incorporated in Victoria. In 1998 it then became incorporated under the Companies Act in the Australian Capital Territory to reflect … Continue reading

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Federal Sex Discrimination Act 1984

Sex Discrimination Act 1984 passed by the Federal Government. This made discrimination on the basis of gender, pregnancy and marital status illegal in Australia.

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Deborah Wardley won the right to be employed as a pilot by Ansett in a case heard by the Victorian Equal Opportunity Board.

Deborah Wardley, a qualified pilot and flying instructor, sent in the first of many applications to Ansett Airlines. It was not until after a prolonged battle through the new Victorian Equal Opportunity Board (now VCAT) and later the Supreme and … Continue reading

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Unpaid Maternity Leave

The Maternity Leave (Commonwealth Employees) Act 1973 provided for (unpaid) Maternity Leave for Commonwealth public servants.

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‘Equal pay for equal work’

Commonwealth Conciliation and Arbitration Commission ruling of ‘equal pay for equal work’, to be phased in by 1972.

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Married women allowed to work in the Commonwealth Public Service

The bar on employment of married women in the Commonwealth Public Service was abolished in 1966. This restriction meant that married women could only be employed as temporary staff, restricting their promotion opportunities (only permanent staff could be in a … Continue reading

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Female basic wage set at 75% of the male basic wage

First determination of a female basic wage. The Commonwealth Arbitration Court set this at 75% of the male basic wage.

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