The Anti‐Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW) (‘the ADA’) was ground‐breaking legislation when it was originally introduced. Coming just two years after the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth), the ADA prohibited racial discrimination as well as becoming the first State or Territory to cover sex and marital status.
However, in the decades since, the ADA has fallen behind best practice when compared to Commonwealth and other State and Territory anti‐discrimination laws. It is now out of step with community standards and expectations.
This short report sets out issues that need to be addressed to ensure the rights of people of NSW to live free from discrimination are adequately protected.
