National Royal Commission

into

The Stolen Careers

This page is under construction

For further information contact Dr Rowena Ball, email Rowena.Ball@anu.edu.au

This is the website for the National Royal Commission into the Stolen Careers, established by Act of Desperation on 10 March, 2008.

*Anti discrimination, equal opportunity, and affirmative action laws, policies, and procedures have been in place for 30 years. These laws and policies simply have not been complied with.

*For at least a generation the careers of bright young hopeful women, and many men, science and engineering graduates have been stolen from them.

*The NRCSC will investigate the dynamics of attrition and the deep structural impediments to women's careers in science and engineering. It will explore all the issues as to why Equal Opportunity laws and policies have failed.

*The NRCSC has wide judicial powers to subpoena and cross-examine witnesses, investigate and conduct hearings in workplaces, make legally enforceable recommendations, request apologies – and award compensation.

o Now, I wonder, what is the price of a Stolen Career? How many talented women of great potential have had their careers stolen from them?

*Sometimes, to get any action, you just have to hit institutions where it hurts most – invoke the law machinery of a democratic society and pinch the hip-pocket nerve.

Hearings and Proceedings, Day 1

Justice Q:

Now tell me, Vice-Chancellor Xerxes, for how long has your

University had EEO and anti-discrimination policies?

VC Xerxes:

Twenty seven years, your Honour. At my university we have many

many volumes of such policies. We have Committees that meet

once a month to discuss such issues. We have an entire Equity

Unit and a Pro Vice Chancellor for Equity. Oh yes indeed we do.

There is no discrimination at my University.

Justice Q:

Really? Is that so? Then tell me, Vice-Chancellor Xerxes, exactly how many

senior women appointments have you made in physical sciences

during that 27 years?

VC Xerxes:

Ah ... er ... ahem. Well, harrumph, umm... None.

Justice Q:

Don't mumble, speak up! speak up, please, so other judicial Members of

the Commission and those in the Press and Public galleries can

hear you ...