Elizabeth was Australia’s longest standing Sex Discrimination Commissioner (2007-2015). Her major achievements were the implementation of a gender equality blueprint for the nation; playing a significant role in the introduction of Australia’s national paid parental leave scheme; and progressing major law reform including in the area of sex discrimination and sexual harassment.

In 2017, Elizabeth was appointed by the United Nations in Geneva as a Special Rapporteur and Independent Expert of the UN Working Group on discrimination against women and girls.

In this role, she undertakes UN country missions and has a global mandate to issue official UN communications to nation states drawing their attention to human rights violations, particularly against women and girls. She is the Founder and Convenor of the Champions of Change Coalition a globally recognised, disruptive strategy for achieving gender equality and advancing women in leadership. Comprising groups of over 270 CEOs covering every major sector of the economy. Elizabeth is Chair of Gender and Disaster Australia Expert Advisory Committee and a member of the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership Advisory Council, Kings College London.

In 2016, Elizabeth was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia and was named NSW Australian of the Year.