Defence's proactive stance in the field in equity and diversity led to a national recognition recently when the organisation won the 2001 Australian Public Sector Diversity Award.

The award highlights the innovative practices and programs implemented by Defence to put into practice workplace diversity and gain real benefits in performance.

Director Defence Equity Organisation Bronwen Grey said Defence had been recognised as the leader in the diversity field out of all the public service.

'Our program was seen as the broadest, encompassing and the most innovative of all the submissions,' Ms Grey said. 'Defence has the best systems for getting the diversity message out to everyone.'

She said the award had been achieved through Defence's broad focus on policy and plans, a constantly developing training scheme and broad support mechanisms for individuals.

'We also have the Defence Equity Advice Line, which is open 364-days-a-year; the Defence Equity Advisers' Network with 2500 trained advisers around Australia and overseas and Defence Equity Co-ordinators in each state responsible for their state or territory.'

Ms Grey said the organisation had more developmental training in the pipeline, which would be released later this year including cultural diversity, sexual orientation and bullying.

'Bullying is a big problem in the Australia community in all areas. It is the abuse of power and intimidation - in any organisation where there is a power differential bullying occurs and it is recognised by the Human Rights Commission as a significant problem.

Ms Grey said that while the issue of bullying was beginning to be addressed by other agencies, Defence was well ahead of the field.

'We have encompassed bullying under unacceptable behaviour and I think in retrospect it has been a very wise decision.'

The Defence Equity Organisation also provides a considerable amount of advice to external agencies including state government departments, such as police and corrective service agencies and to private companies.

'We provide advice, information and guidance to a whole range of other people in the private and public sectors. We were acknowledged before as the leaders but this award has validated that.'

Ms Grey said the result was very pleasing for the entire organisation and a reflection of the hard work undertaken by many people.

'All the Equity Advisers and Senior Equity Advisers, who promote the equity and diversity message as a secondary duty, the Defence Equity Co-ordinators and all the managers and commanders who are making sure that the workplace is fair and inclusive.

'However, we have no intention of resting on our laurels so we are always developing and changing.'

By Paul Cross