The Director of Equal Opportunity in Public Employment (DEOPE) is an independent statutory officer appointed by the Governor to perform the functions defined in Part IX of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (EO Act). While the current DEOPE is an employee of the Public Sector Commission, the role remains legislatively independent and reports directly to the Minister for Public Sector Management.
The DEOPE has authority over the entire WA Government sector which includes departments and SES organisations (public service), Non SES organisations, and other government bodies such as local governments, universities and government boards and committees (figure 1).
Functions of the DEOPE
- advise and assist entities to develop equal employment opportunity (EEO) management plans
- evaluate the effectiveness of EEO management plans
- report to the Minister on the operation of EEO management plans
