Annual Report 2004-05

Workplace Equity and Diversity

Defence is firmly committed to creating a workplace free from harassment, discrimination and other unacceptable behaviour. The Defence Equity Organisation promotes the principles of equity and diversity through the development of appropriate policies and strategies.

Defence's overarching document to achieve this outcome is the Defence Workplace Equity and Diversity Plan. The plan takes into account Defence's values and corporate goals, as well as the broader Australian Government legal and policy framework including Defence's responsibilities under the Commonwealth Disability Strategy. It contains clear and practical actions based around the themes of leadership and accountability, policy, support, and training. Defence's progress against the Defence Workplace Equity and Diversity Plan 2003-2005, including areas that require improvement, is reported in the Workplace Equity and Diversity Annual Report 2004-2005.

The report provides information on:

• the initiatives and programs, including training, implemented by Defence in the reporting period;
• the diversity of the Defence workforce including the participation of indigenous Australians, women and people with a disability;
• reports of unacceptable behaviour; and
• Group and Service performance against the 2003 05 plan.

The report is available at the Defence Equity Organisation website at www.defence.gov.au/equity.