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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Ramping up public transport access for people with disability
Both PWDA and the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) have taken the stance that a breach of the Transport Standards is unlawful, constituting ‘unlawful discrimination’ under the DDA. … Amongst the recommendations made in PIAC’s submission, it advocated that “the Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986 (Cth) be amended to insert a cost determination model”. That model…
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9 News: Woman takes Qantas to Federal Court because her assistance dog is banned from flying
Because of her disability, Rachael Fullerton always travels with her assistance dog Strike, but the pair are barred from flying with national carrier Qantas. She can fly with Virgin Australia and board a Rex flight with the loyal border collie, who is registered as an assistance animal, and she can travel with him on any…
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NDIS participant takes Qantas to court over denying travel to assistance dog
An NDIS participant is taking Qantas to court over allegations of disability discrimination after the airline barred her assistance dog from travelling with her on its planes, AAP reports. Rachael Fullerton and her border collie assistance dog Strike first made the request to Qantas for approval in late 2022, but the airline has failed to…
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Qantas taken to court for refusing to let assistance dog on flight
An NDIS recipient is taking Qantas to court over allegations of disability discrimination after the airline barred her assistance dog from travelling with her on its planes. Rachael Fullerton and her border collie assistance dog Strike first made the request to Qantas for approval in late 2022, but the airline has failed to recognise her…
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Qantas taken to Federal Court after refusing to let assistance dog on flight
Rachael Fullerton can’t imagine travelling without her assistance dog, Strike. Ms Fullerton, who lives with multiple disabilities, said her faithful border collie has helped her reach unprecedented levels of independence since he came into her life a few years ago. … PIAC senior solicitor Sheetal Balakrishnan said Ms Fullerton could not fly without Strike, as…
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Qantas in court over Strike the assistance dog
The Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) has taken Qantas to the Federal Court on behalf of their client Rachael Fullerton, for not allowing Rachael’s assistance dog Strike to travel with her on Qantas fights. Rachael has a disability and Strike has been trained to provide Rachael with psychological and physical support. The National Disability Insurance…
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Why are travel insurers still denying mental health cover?
A CHOICE mystery shop of 15 travel insurance providers finds discrimination against people with mental health conditions. … The Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) has also played a major part in pushing the industry toward fairer treatment of people living with a mental illness. In a 2021 report, PIAC highlighted cases where travel insurance claims…
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It’s legal to deny insurance on mental health grounds, but Belle wants that changed
As it stands, insurers can legally deny coverage altogether on mental health grounds, like they did with Belle, or deny coverage for claims resulting from a certain condition. They can also charge higher premiums for people with existing mental health conditions. Lawyer Ellen Tilbury from the Public Interest Advocacy Centre published a report on mental health discrimination…
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2SER: the Disability Royal Commission calls for fundamental reform
After four years of often harrowing evidence from people with disability, 32 public hearings and nearly 8,000 submissions, the Disability Royal Commission has released its final report. Its findings are damning. According to the Royal Commission, people with disability ‘experience high rates of violence and abuse,’ and ‘continue to be excluded from participating in many areas…
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2SER: NSW religious vilification bill under scrutiny
NSW Attorney General Michael Daley introduced the Anti-Discrimination Amendment (Religious Vilification) Bill 2023 to NSW Parliament last month. The Bill would prohibit vilification on the basis of religious belief or affiliation or religious activity. In a media release, PIAC expressed its concern the outlined reforms are too broad and inconsistent with existing laws. Alastair Lawrie,…