Section 2: The current context for this Inquiry The Commission recognises this is a developing area of research, policy and practice. Australia is poised to make a significant contribution to this work. This Inquiry is an important step in increasing the transparency around issues relating to sexual harassment—a vital component in changing behaviour and culture. Australia must prepare for this backlash. Armed with effective tools and strategies, and the practical, measured and effective reforms recommended in the report, Australia has the opportunity to make significant progress and take a leading role in the global response to sexual harassment. Across the globe, there has been an increasing call for the momentum, spurred by #MeToo, to translate into practical and meaningful changes. However, as the women’s organisations who fought for the legal and social recognition of sex discrimination in the early 1970s experienced, Australia should also brace itself for a backlash. As discussed in Section 4, ‘Prevention outside the workplace’, initiatives to tackle gender inequality often meet resistance, especially when these challenge existing structures and social norms. This is Australia’s moment. 84 R ECO M M EN D A T IO N 1 : The Australian Government work with state and territory governments to implement the recommendations in this report and provide a joint funded package to ensure their implementation.