The Australian Human Rights Commission ('AHRC') is a statutory body funded by, but operating independently of, the Australian Government. The Commission falls under the portfolio of the Attorney-General of Australia.

The Commission has a number of specialist commissioners, with gender issues being primarily addressed by a ‘Sex Discrimination Commissioner’. All seven people who have filled the role of ‘Sex Discrimination Commissioner’ to date have been female.

From 2007 until September 2015 the role of Sex Discrimination Commissioner was filled by Elizabeth Broderick. In considering the work undertaken under her stewardship one might well conclude that a marked degree of gender bias resulted in minimal attention being directed towards issues faced by Australian men and boys, or to putting in place intiatives aimed at protecting and advancing their human rights.

On 11 February 2016 a successor to Ms Broderick was announced - Kate Jenkins. Kate commenced duties in April 2016, and early indications are that she is just as unwilling to place the legislative requirements of her role before her personal ideological beliefs, as was her predecessor. The AHRC should address this situation, and it should assure the Australian community that its commitment to preventing discrimination shall be pursued irrespective of gender.

Please click on the following link to access important background information: 'Gender bias at the Australian Human Rights Commission'