Progress Towards Equal Employment Opportunity in 1987: Two Steps Forward, One Step Back

The seeds for the creation of equal employment opportunity (EEO) were sown in the mid 1970s and with the enactment of anti‐discrimi nation and affirmative action legislation, it appeared moves to foster EEO would flourish. However, this has not eventuated. Although the major parties operating in the labour market have indicated their support for the principle of EEO, developments in both the public and private sectors demonstrate the creation of EEO is accorded low priority. Despite the importance of EEO in enhancing the efficiency of organisations, it appears some governments and organisations are unwilling to provide the structures and resources necessary to remove discrimination and to create EEO. This was particularly evident in 1986 and 1987. 1988 Australian Human Resources Institute (AHRI)