Kate Michelle Jenkins AO is a human rights lawyer and commissioner and sports administrator. She was Commissioner at the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission before becoming the Sex Discrimination Commissioner at the Australian Human Rights Commission from 2016 to 2023. Jenkins was appointed the chair of the Australian Sports Commission in May 2024.
Kate Jenkins | |
|---|---|
 Jenkins in 2016 | |
| Chairman of the Australian Sports Commission | |
| Assumed office May 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Josephine Sukkar |
| Sex Discrimination Commissioner of the Australian Human Rights Commission | |
| In office 2016–2023 | |
| Preceded by | Elizabeth Broderick |
| Succeeded by | Ross Croucher |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Kate Michelle Jenkins Australia |
| Occupation |
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Career
editJenkins was the lead equal opportunity partner at Herbert Smith Freehills. There, she led the firm’s Melbourne Women in Business group for more than a decade and was the lead employment partner in the firm’s pro bono community program.[1]
Jenkins was appointed Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commissioner of Victoria in 2012.[2] In April 2015 she was the convener of the Victorian Male Champions of Change,[3] the chair of the Independent Review Into Sex Discrimination and Sexual Harassment, including predatory behaviour in Victoria Police[4][5] and the co-chair of Play by the Rules. She was also the co-chair of the Commission’s Disability Reference Group and a member of the Aboriginal Justice Forum.[2]
From 2016 until 2023 Jenkins was the Sex Discrimination Commissioner at the Australian Human Rights Commission.[6][7] In January 2020, Jenkins handed to the Morrison government her Respect@Work report, the findings of a national inquiry into sexual harassment in workplaces.[8]
In November 2021, she led a review of the Parliament House workplace culture following the 2021 Australian Parliament House sexual misconduct allegations.[9][10]
Boards
editIn October 2015, Jenkins was appointed to the board of Carlton Football Club, where she promised to work towards creating a female team for the upcoming women's AFL competition.[11] As of November 2015[update] Jenkins was on the board of Berry Street Victoria – the state's largest independent child and family welfare organisation[12] – and a member of the boards of Heide Museum of Modern Art.[13]
Jenkins was appointed the chair of the Australian Sports Commission in May 2024, replacing Josephine Sukkar.[14]
In August 2024 she was appointed chair of the newly-created division of Creative Australia (formerly Australia Council), Creative Workplaces.[15]
Other activities
editIn February 2015 Jenkins was a signatory to a statement by the Australian Council of Human Rights Authorities defending the independence and supporting the work of the Australian Human Rights Commission.[16]
Jenkins was an ambassador for the 2020 ICC Women's T20 World Cup and the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. In 2021, she conducted the Independent Review of Gymnastics in Australia.[14]
Recognition and honours
editIn 2015 Jenkins was recognised in the Australian Financial Review and Westpac 100 Women of Influence Awards for her contribution in addressing equal opportunity and human rights issues in Victoria.[17]
She was appointed Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in the 2023 King's Birthday Honours for "distinguished service to human rights governance, to advancing gender equity, to the promotion of inclusivity, and to the law".[18]
References
edit- ^ "HSF partner appointed Vic HR Commissioner". Lawyersweekly.com.au. 2 September 2013. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
- ^ a b "The Commissioner - Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission". Humanrightscommission.vic.gov.au. 18 October 2012. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
- ^ Shane Green (14 April 2015). "Human rights commissioner Kate Jenkins names AFL chief Gill McLachlan among 19 male champions of women in the workplace". Theage.com.au. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
- ^ "Police sex discrimination 'a serious problem'". News.com.au. 20 October 2015. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
- ^ "What Kate Jenkins, Human Rights commissioner, learned about discrimination". afr.com. 24 September 2015. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
- ^ "Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins". Australian Human Rights Commission. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
- ^ "Farewell to Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins". Australian Human Rights Commission. 4 April 2023. Retrieved 20 May 2024.
- ^ "Respect@Work: Sexual Harassment National Inquiry Report (2020)". Australian Human Rights Commission. 5 March 2020. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
- ^ Gould, Courtney (30 November 2021). "'Fresh meat': Review lifts lid on toxic Parliament culture". news. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
- ^ Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins to lead review into Parliament House workplace culture
- ^ Caroline Wilson (19 October 2015). "Carlton put equal opportunity commissioner Kate Jenkins on board". Theage.com.au. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
- ^ "Board Members". Berry Street. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
- ^ "Kate Jenkins joins Carlton Board". Carltonfc.com.au. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
- ^ a b "ASC welcomes new Chair". Australian Sports Commission. Retrieved 20 May 2024.
- ^ "Kate Jenkins AO to chair Creative Workplaces Council". Ministers for the Department of Infrastructure. 11 August 2023. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
- ^ Shane Green (13 February 2015). "Victoria's human rights commissioner vigorously defends national watchdog's independence". Theage.com.au. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
- ^ "2015 Event". 100 Women of Influence. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
- ^ "King's Birthday 2023 Honours - the full list". Sydney Morning Herald. Nine Entertainment Co. 11 June 2023. Retrieved 11 June 2023.