Discrimination
Media and commentary related to our work to strengthen and modernise anti-discrimination laws, to protect human rights and ensure fair access to services, education, work and culture.
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In the picture: TV networks to make sure Deaf community included in major announcements
Members of the Deaf community will now be able to take in major public broadcasts at the same time as family, friends and colleagues via Auslan interpretation, following a settlement between Deaf Australia and commercial television networks. Free TV, the industry body which represents networks Seven, Nine and Ten has agreed to change its policy…
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Time to end mental health discrimination by insurers: submission to the Banking Royal Commission
PIAC’s submission to the Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry has highlighted widespread, systemic discrimination by insurers on the basis of mental health. PIAC has been working with beyondblue, Mental Health Australia and Victoria Legal Aid for a number of years to get insurance companies to improve their policies…
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Mental health discrimination: calls for life insurers be held to account
In a landmark report released on 27 March 2018, the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services has recommended a range of initiatives to improve the way the life insurance industry deals with issues relating to mental health. Key recommendations include the establishment of a binding and enforceable code of practice in relation to…
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Blind woman takes Commonwealth Bank to court over ‘inaccessible’ EFTPOS machines
Would you trust a stranger with your bank PIN? It’s a question Nadia Mattiazzo is forced to ask herself daily… Key points: Commonwealth Bank facing lawsuit alleging discrimination over touchscreen EFTPOS machines Blind and vision-impaired people say terminals are virtually impossible for them to use because they don’t have tactile keypad Lawsuit follows 18 months…
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Blind consumers launch discrimination case re CBA’s ‘nightmare’ EFTPOS machines
The Commonwealth Bank is facing disability discrimination cases in relation to their touchscreen ‘Albert’ EFTPOS machines after two consumers launched matters in the Federal Circuit Court, represented by PIAC, with the support of the Grata Fund. The consumers, Graeme Innes and Nadia Mattiazzo, who are both blind, say that people who are blind or have…
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Yes, but Never Again
Marriage equality was finally passed by the Commonwealth Parliament on 7 December 2017. That followed the Government’s three-month postal survey, which culminated in the announcement of an emphatic 61.6% Yes vote on 15 November. It is important to remember, however, that the successful outcome could, and should, have been achieved without a postal survey. Parliament…
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Albert makes me anxious: Why touchscreen eftpos can be a ‘nightmare’
The evening began so well, with dinner at a local Indian restaurant for his daughter’s birthday. But when it came time to pay, Martin Stewart got a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. Mr Stewart – who describes himself as “totally blind” – realised the only way he could settle the bill was…
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Commonwealth Bank continues to roll out inaccessible EFTPOS machines despite concerns of blind community
Negotiations between blindness peak groups and the Commonwealth Bank have been terminated after the bank refused to make changes to their ‘Albert’ EFTPOS machines to make them accessible to people who are blind or vision impaired. Blind Citizens Australia, together with PIAC clients Graeme Innes and Nadia Mattiazzo, lodged discrimination complaints in the Australian Human…
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Mental health discrimination: our submission on the General Insurance Code of Practice
PIAC has welcomed steps taken by the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) towards ending discriminatory and unfair practices experienced by people with mental health conditions when accessing insurance. In an interim report, which forms part of a review of theGeneral Industry Code of Practice, the ICA has proposed draft best-practice mental health principles. The draft…
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Love wins!
PIAC joins with the LGBTIQ community in celebrating the realisation of marriage equality, following the passing of the Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Act by the House of Representatives last night and its proclamation by the Governor General this morning. ‘This is a landmark victory for fairness and equality and will go down in…