IP Australia (IPA)

Summary

IP Australia released a 67MB zip file in response to an FOI request.

IPA AWEI 2021 Submission (26MB)

The AWEI is broken up into 10 sections. Section 1 has 4 sub-sections. Organisations can choose to “carry over” points from this section for up to 3 years. Sections 9-10 must be completed each year to gain points.

Commentary

• S1 Q15 – Installed signs instructing that staff should respect others’ privacy by “not asking why they are using a certain bathroom.“
• S5 Q32 – IP Australia paid for 2 staff members to attend ACON’s Pride in Practice conference.
• S8 Q41 – Email to staff suggesting they donate to ‘Out For Australia’

IPA AWEI Tasks Tracking Document (252KB)

• IP Australia turned their results (possibly for 2020) into a document that they used to track progress for the next submission. They did not release the official scorecard supplied by ACON.

Invoices totalling $6,600 (400KB)

Survey Results

• Not supplied by IP Australia

Gender Neutral Toilets

IP Australia have introduced the same signage as other organisations such as Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources (DISER).

IP Australia has been working towards getting Gender Neutral bathroomsfor the last 2 years. See attached some of the history and consultation under Section 1 Q 15. Margaret (LGBTIQ+ Champion) approved to have the below signs in all the toilets as a steppingstone. We created some comms before putting up the signage which is written below: “We are committed to providing a safe space for all of us as part of our Inclusion journey at IP Australia. To aid us in our journey you may notice signs appearing in the bathrooms throughout our IP Australia Buildings, regarding safe and respectful inclusive behaviours. We trust that all staff will use the bathrooms that are appropriate for their needs, and will be respectfulof others in the bathroom areas. We strongly encourage everyone to continue working together to embed a culture where all of us feel respected, valued and included. This also includes respecting your colleagues privacy and not asking why they are using a certain bathroom. “ See below photo of toilet signage:

Response to Section 1 Question 15

Decision-making Process Around Gender Neutral Toilets

These emails show the decision-making process leading up to the decision to introduce gender-neutral toilets. It shows that IP Australia have followed the lead of Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources (DISER) and literally copied the poster they use. Michael Schwager, Director General of IP Australia asks to tweak the language, noting that public toilets are not actually a “private place”.

Notes for Pride Meeting re: Gender Neutral Toilets

Leaving all the other bathrooms as gendered that address the need/desire for gendered spaces (and heads off any number of problems and/or complaints). I think I saw somewhere in the previous many E-mails a reference to the possibility of other women’s space being set up? I’m also very aware that the first question asked about that would be ‘Where are the men’s spaces?’