The Director of Equal Opportunity in Public Employment (DEOPE) is a statutory officer appointed by the Governor who is responsible to the Minister for Public Sector Management for the performance of functions outlined in Part IX of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (the Act). The Act recognises and addresses discrimination in the areas of work, accommodation, education, the provision of goods, facilities and services and the activities of clubs on the grounds of:

• To eliminate and ensure the absence of discrimination in employment in public authorities on all the grounds covered by the Act; and
• To promote equal employment opportunity for all persons in public authorities.

Public authorities include all public sector bodies (including the utilities), public universities and local governments.

The role of the Director is to:

• Advise and assist public authorities to develop EEO management plans;
• Evaluate the effectiveness of management plans in achieving the objects of the Act; and
• Monitor and report to the Minister on the operation and effectiveness of management plans.
• Undertake investigations into matters relating to the development and implementation of EEO Management Plans.