The conference affirms the right of women to earn their living in industry, the professions and the public service and demands for all workers the legal right to equal occupational rates based on the nature of the job and not the sex of workers. 6 Prime Minister John Curtin subsequently announced the Labour Government’s support for the employment of female workers in historically male occupations but clarified that this was “for the duration of the war” only. It would not be until 1969 that the Conciliation and Arbitration Commission would accept the principle of “equal pay for equal work”. Even then, the principle only applied to women employed in predominantly male areas – benefitting less than 20% of working women at the time. 7
Human Rights. Born out of the experiences of World War II, the Universal Declaration is a statement of inalienable human rights to be enjoyed by all individuals.8 It provides for civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to life, free speech, privacy, health and education. Australia was intrinsically involved in the creation and development of the declaration. It was one of eight nations involved in the declaration’s drafting, and one of 48 nations to vote in favour. 9 Further, Australian Foreign Minister and Attorney-General Dr Herbert Vere Evatt oversaw the declaration’s adoption during his tenure as President of the UN General Assembly. Dr HV Evatt was a renowned champion of civil liberties and reportedly predicted that millions of people worldwide would turn to the declaration for “help, guidance and inspiration”.
BUSINESS, LAW & STEM
The push for equal pay was further accelerated during the early years of World War II. As an influx of men joined the military, the door opened for women to begin working in traditionally male industries, such as engineering and manufacturing. Following this shift, in April 1941, the Australasian Council of Trade Unions announced the following motion:
Since the adoption of the Universal Declaration, Australia has shown its continued support for human rights, ratifying almost all major human rights instruments to date. 1975: Racial Discrimination Act and Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Amendment Act
1948: Universal Declaration of Human Rights On 10 December 1948, during its third session, the United Nations passed the Universal Declaration of
1975 was a year of social change in Australia. In June 1975, the Whitlam government introduced the Racial Discrimination Act, which criminalised
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