Former sex discrimination commissioner Kate Jenkins has been appointed chair of the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) for a five-year term.

In her new role, Jenkins will lead the primary agency that funds and promotes sport around the country. Her appointment to the role comes at a pivotal time for sports in Australia, as codes across the country reckon with their long histories of contributing to gender inequality in Australia.

Jenkins has a long-standing connection to sport, including chairing Play by the Rules, serving on the Carlton Football Club board, being an ambassador for the T20 Women’s World Cup Cricket 2020 and the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, and conducting the Independent Review of Gymnastics for the Human Rights Commission in 2021.

ASC CEO Kieran Perkins welcomed the appointment.

“Kate is one of Australia’s most distinguished leaders and her record of making systemic change across a range of sectors speaks for itself,” he said.

“There is no doubt that Kate’s expertise will be a wonderful asset to the ASC and our whole sector as we strive to ensure sport has a place for everyone and delivers results that make Australia proud.”

Jenkins is one of Australia’s most recognisable discrimination and human rights lawyers, having worked for over 30 years in the field. She rose to national prominence when she was named sex discrimination commissioner by former attorney-general George Brandis in 2016.

She delivered the landmark Set the Standard Review into Parliamentary culture, which cast light on the way power imbalances were used to facilitate sexual harassment and assault in the halls of parliament

Prior to this held the role at the head of the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission from 2013-2016. During her time there, she worked on the Independent Review into sex discrimination and sexual harassment, including predatory behaviour, within Victoria Police and established the Victorian-based the Male Champions of Change program.

Other work prior to her time as sex discrimination commissioner includes chairing the Disability Reference Group to address issues of discrimination for people with disabilities, overseeing the implementation of the recommendations of the Victorian Human Rights Commission’s Beyond Doubt report, working with the Aboriginal Justice Forum and developing guidelines for transgender people in sport.

Jenkins was made an officer of the Order of Australia for her contribution to human rights governance, advancing gender equity, the promotion of inclusivity, and the law.

Sport Minister Annika Wells said Jenkins would guide Australia through a pivotal time in its sporting history.

“Kate Jenkins is an outstanding administrator who has improved systems and sectors throughout a decorated career that includes significant reforms in sport. [Her] background in human rights and as sex discrimination commissioner will be invaluable for the sporting community,” she said.

“I also thank outgoing chairperson Ms Josephine Sukkar for her leadership of the commission and ongoing contribution to Australian sport.”

Joining Jenkins on the ASC board will be Olympic and Paralympic medallists Nicholas Green, and Bridie Kean for three-year terms.

Green is a dual Olympic gold medallist and senior executive with experience working in large global corporations, the public sector, and not-for-profit organisations. His sporting roles include CEO of Cycling Australia, director of the Australian Olympic Committee and Commonwealth Games Australia, president of the Victorian Olympic Council, and Chef de Mission of the 2012 Australian Olympic Team.

Kean is a dual Paralympic medallist and lecturer at the University of the Sunshine Coast.  She served as the Paralympic athlete representative during the Brisbane 2032 bid process and was recently appointed Deputy Chef de Mission of the 2024 Australian Paralympic Team.

“These appointments will help us address a critical period for Australian sport, as we navigate through the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games and ramp up preparations for Brisbane 2032,” said Wells.

“I very much look forward to working with Kate, Nick and Bridie as they support the sector.”

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