Calendar training courses The Commission continued its calendar courses in 2009-10 with 21 half, full-day and two-day courses attended by employees, managers, employee relations, human resources and equal opportunity practitioners. The calendar series of fee-for-service courses are offered to mixed profile participants at the Commission premises. The most popular of the courses was the full day Equal Opportunity Law and Workplace Culture which replaced two former half day courses: Equal Opportunity Law – an Introduction and Workplace Culture, Harassment and Bullying. Participants represented a range of industry sectors. Industries showing high attendance levels included: education government Administration local Government health and Community Services A key performance indicator planned for 2010-11 is to identify the effectiveness of the Commission’s’ internal calendar training program. This will be determined by identifying the level of increase of participants understanding and knowledge of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 by comparing data collected in the pre and post course evaluations. Rights-based education Rights-based education utilises a human rights framework and focuses on engaging categories of potential complainants who have little access to information about their rights and how to exercise those rights. The broad aim of rights-based education is to build awareness and understanding about human rights and provide participants with the skills to exercise those rights in Western Australia. These training sessions are delivered free of charge to help those most likely to experience discrimination and to help their advocates understand the scope of the law, their rights and the Commission’s complaint process. Organisations with whom the Commission worked in partnership to deliver customised human rights education included: Department of and Recreation Centrecare Department of Education and Training Koondoola Integrated Services Centre Reel Connections Albany Hockey Association Great Southern Netball Association TAFE Colleges Disability Services Unions WA University of WA Department of Health Noongar Sports Tenants Advice Service In December 2009 the Commission identified the need to enhance the level of delivery of Rights-Based training in both the metropolitan and regional areas of WA and to focus on the provision of training to those groups who have been identified as subject to long term discrimination on the grounds of disability, sexual orientation and race (including both Aboriginal and ethnic minority groups). To ensure the effectiveness of this program, the Commission has adopted a consultative approach and in partnership with the relevant government and non-government organisations to develop training which reflects the needs of these groups.
Respondents to complaints Industry sector and size of respondent organisations Using classifications developed by the Australian Bureau of Statistics the Commission collects information on the industry or organisations against which complaints are lodged. This information helps the Commission produce publications, conduct seminars and develop relevant, industry specific training programs. Table 14 details the industries from which the respondents came in 2009-10. While the largest number of complaints still are from the property and business services sector, there has been an increase in complaints relating to education, and health and community services. property and business services - 135 (20.8%) personal and other services including corrective and police services - 100 (15.4%) education - 60 (9.2%) health and community services - 51 (7.9%) : Complaints by industry 2007-08 to 2009-10 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 Industry Type No. % No. % No % Accommodation/Cafes/ Restaurants 45 8.4% 25 3.9% 29 4.5% Agriculture/Forestry/Fishing 7 1.3% 4 0.6% 17 2.6% Communication Services 16 3.0% 12 1.9% 17 2.6% Construction 20 3.7% 26 4.1% 20 3.1% Cultural and Recreational Services 20 3.7% 28 4.4% 14 2.2% Education - Pre, School and Post 37 6.9% 61 9.6% 60 9.2% Finance and Insurance 6 1.1% 13 2.1% 11 1.7% Health and Community Services 44 8.2% 41 6.5% 51 7.9% Manufacturing 17 3.2% 16 2.5% 18 2.8% Mining 54 10.1% 63 9.9% 36 5.5% Personal and Other Services including corrective and police services 55 10.3% 49 7.7% 100 15.4% Property and Business Services 85 15.9% 107 16.9% 135 20.8% Retail Trade 57 10.6% 68 10.7% 45 6.9% Transport and Storage 34 6.3% 64 10.1% 39 6.0% Wholesale Trade 10 1.9% 3 0.5% 8 1.2% Other Industry 29 5.4% 54 8.5% 49 7.6% Total 536 100.0 634 100.0 649 100.0
Types of outcomes in conciliated complaints Outcomes that can be negotiated during the conciliation of complaints include: introducing or improving equal opportunity policies or practices providing staff training programs on equal opportunity and discrimination compensating for a specific loss, for example income or medical expenses compensating for pain, suffering, hurt or humiliation making and receiving an apology making something available that was previously refused such as accommodation, admission to a course or access to a shop or nightclub. It is common for one or more of these outcomes to be negotiated in conciliation. In 2009-10 the most common types of outcomes negotiated during the conciliation of complaints included: apology monetary settlement respondent’s explanation satisfactory to complainant opportunity law program/education policy change within the organisation. Case studies of complaints handled As part of the Commission’s community education some case studies of complaints handled by the Commission are provided in Appendix A. These case studies illustrate the various outcomes of complaints lodged with the Commission. Lapsed complaints Complaints are considered to have lapsed when complainants abandon their complaint, or do not wish to proceed with it and have not advised the Commissioner, in writing, as required under the Equal Opportunity Act 1984. In some instances the Commission has been unable to maintain contact with the complainant and after a period of time the complaint lapses. In other cases complainants do not wish to continue but do not formally withdraw their complaint. Some complainants are disheartened by their onus of proof which requires complainants to support their allegations with evidence such as witness statements and documents. Since 2005 the Commission implemented a range of strategies to attempt to reduce the number of complaints which lapse. Figure 6 demonstrates that these strategies have been effective, reducing the proportion of lapsed complaints from 26% in 2000-01 to 11.6% in 2009-10. The spike in 2003-04 resulted from a policy decision to lapse complaints which had been kept active for long periods of time with little expectation of resolution.
Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2010 2010 $ 2009 $ Commonwealth grants and contributions Grant from Commonwealth - Indian Ocean Territories 14,401 38,657 14,401 38,657 Other revenue Recoups 160,794 108,902 Other revenue 277,108 291,121 437,902 400,023 Loss on disposal of non-current assets Cost of Disposal of Non-Current Assets Equipment - 9,738 - 9,738 Income from State Government Appropriation received during the year: Service appropriations (a) 3,205,000 3,135,000 3,205,000 3,135,000 Resources received free of charge (b) Determined on the basis of the following estimates provided by agencies: Department of the Attorney General - Corporate Services - 94,396 DTF - Building and Management Works 5,411 4,651 5,411 99,047 3,210,411 3,234,047 Commissioner for Opportunity
Interest Interest rate exposure Maturity Dates Weighted Average Effective Interest Rate Carrying amount Fixed Interest Rate Variable Interest Rate Bearing Adjustment for discounting Total Nominal Amount Up to 3 months 3-12 months 1-2 years 2-5 years More than 5 % $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ Financial Liabilities 2010 Payables 120,359 - - 120,359 - - 120,359 - - - - 120,359 - - 120,359 - - 120,359 - - - - 2009 Payables 280,852 - - 280,852 - - 280,852 - - - - 280,852 - - 280,852 - - 280,852 - - - - Interest rate sensitivity analysis None of the Commission's financial assets and liabilities at the end of the reporting period are sensitive to movements in interest rates, hence movements in interest rates have no bottom line impact on the Commission's surplus or equity. Fair Values All financial assets and liabilities recognised in the statement of financial position, whether they are carried at cost or fair are recognised at amounts that represent a reasonable approximation of fair value unless otherwise stated in the applicable notes. Commissioner for Equal Opportunity to the Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2010 2010 $ 2009 $ Remuneration of senior officers The number of senior officers whose total of fees, salaries, superannuation, non-monetary benefits and other benefits for the financial year, fall within the following bands are:
Performance Indicators Commissioner for Equal Opportunity Certification of Performance Indicators for the year ended 30 June 2010 I hereby certify that the performance indicators are on proper records, are relevant and appropriate for assisting users to assess the Equal Opportunity Commissioner’s performance and fairly represent the performance of the Equal Opportunity Commission for the financial year ended 30 June 2010. Yvonne Henderson Commissioner 5 August 2010 Detailed information in support of key performance indicators The Commissioner for Equal Opportunity provides information on equal opportunity and human rights issues as well as avenues of redress to individuals who experience unlawful discrimination. The Commission’s effectiveness indicators demonstrate the extent to which the Commissioner for Equal Opportunity: raises awareness of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (The Act) within the Western Australian community and promotes equality of opportunity; and provides redress in respect to unlawful discrimination relevant legislation. The efficiency indicators measure the cost of providing services. Key Effectiveness Indicators relating to desired outcome The people of Western Australia are provided with information and advice about equal opportunity and human rights issues and have accessible avenues of redress under relevant legislation.