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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A step in the right direction: CBA to improve accessibility of ‘Albert’ EFTPOS machines
We settled a disability discrimination claim for clients Graeme Innes and Nadia Mattiazzo, which will make EFTPOS machines more accessible.
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Religious Freedom Review – details will be critical and LGBT students left waiting
The Public Interest Advocacy Centre cautiously welcomes the long-awaited release of the Religious Freedom Review, and elements of the Government’s response. ‘We are pleased to see the Government’s commitment to including religious belief as a protected attribute in anti-discrimination law. But the details of any Religious Discrimination Act will be crucial,’ said PIAC CEO Mr…
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Protecting LGBT students against discrimination should be simple. Is Commonwealth Parliament up to the task?
The issue of discrimination by religious institutions can appear complex. Ensuring we protect religious freedom while upholding the right to non-discrimination requires balance and nuance. But some things are clear. The treatment of LGBT students in religious schools is one of them. The overwhelming majority of Australians (74% according to a recent poll) do not…
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ALP’s Student Discrimination Bill an Important First Step
PIAC has welcomed the ALP’s Sex Discrimination Amendment (Removing Discrimination Against Students) Bill 2018, introduced by Senator Penny Wong in the Senate this afternoon. ‘This Bill effectively ensures LGBT students can no longer be discriminated against by religious schools simply because of who they are,’ said PIAC CEO Jonathon Hunyor. ‘This is an important first…
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Senate Inquiry Recommends Protection for LGBT Students
PIAC has welcomed the findings of the Senate Inquiry into Anti-Discrimination Exceptions for Religious Schools, handed down today. ‘The Committee’s report is another step forward in making schools free from discrimination’, said PIAC CEO, Jonathon Hunyor. ‘In particular, we welcome the Committee’s recommendation that the Sex Discrimination Act be changed to protect students in religious…
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Ending LGBT discrimination at religious schools: PIAC evidence to Senate Inquiry
Appearing before a Senate inquiry yesterday, PIAC has highlighted the changes required to end discrimination against LGBT students, teachers and staff at religious schools. PIAC CEO, Jonathon Hunyor said that the current approach in both the Sex Discrimination Act and Fair Work Act does not strike an appropriate balance between religious freedom and protection against…
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ACT discrimination law changes ‘could be model for Commonwealth’
‘Changes to the ACT’s discrimination laws fall short of protecting the LGBTI community from religious discrimination in hospitals and aged care facilities, analysis from the Public Interest Advocacy Centre indicates….’
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We don’t want the right to sack gay teachers, say Australia’s most senior Anglican leaders
…’On Wednesday, a coalition of lawyers including the Human Rights Law Centre, the Public Interest Advocacy Centre and numerous community legal organisations wrote to Mr Porter urging him to dump the “flawed” and “unnecessary” loophole.’ ‘A dozen academics from the Australian Discrimination Law Experts Group also signed the letter.’
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Legal experts say proposed discrimination law amendments will fail to protect LGBT children at religious schools
In an open letter to Attorney-General Christian Porter, leading legal academics and anti-discrimination law practitioners have strongly criticised aspects of the proposed amendments to the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (SDA) designed to deal with discrimination by religious schools against LGBT students. ‘We need changes to protect LGBT students from discrimination by religious schools, but this…
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The Government’s Amendments about LGBT Students are Flawed. Here’s why.
There is now bipartisan agreement that LGBT students in religious schools should be protected against discrimination. However, there is significant disagreement about how this should be achieved. The Government’s proposed amendments have been published in the media. For the reasons we set out here, PIAC believes the amendments do not adequately protect LGBT students from…