Promise check: Make gender pay equity an objective of the Fair Work Act

At the 2022 election, Labor promised to make gender pay equity an objective of the Fair Work Act. Here's how that promise is tracking.

In May 2022, Labor leader Anthony Albanese made a commitment to address "the persistent, structural barriers that prevent so many women securing decent jobs and careers, and financial security over the course of your lives".

In his formal campaign launch speech he said: "Today, I announce Labor will make gender pay equity an objective of the Fair Work Act."

Anthony Albanese & the Australian Labor Party launch election campaign in Perth | ABC News

Watch Mr Albanese make the pledge at Labor's campaign launch.

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The Fair Work Commission administers the Fair Work Act and makes decisions on minimum wages and other workplace issues guided by this (and other) legislation.

The Australian Law Reform Commission says an "object" in the context of legislation is used to identify the "underlying purposes of the legislation and can be used to resolve uncertainty and ambiguity".

Labor's election policy platform provided greater detail about the promise, saying the amendment would "make it easier for the Fair Work Commission to order pay increases for workers in low-paid, female-dominated industries".

Assessing the promise

This promise will be fulfilled if Labor amends the Fair Work Act in its first term to include an object that makes an explicit reference to gender pay equity.

Here's how the promise is tracking:

19 May 2023

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RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

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Promise check: Make gender pay equity an objective of the Fair Work Act