Equality and Discrimination Law in Australia: An Introduction


Book Description

Equality and Discrimination Law in Australia: An Introduction explores four decades of anti-discrimination laws in Australia. Beth Gaze and Belinda Smith argue that effective laws protecting against and deterring discrimination are vital for a fair future, and emphasise the theoretical and social contexts that underpin this area of the law. The text is divided into three sections: the first addresses the social and conceptual context, history and framework of anti-discrimination laws; the second analyses the main elements of the law and the processes of enforcement; and the third explores broader avenues for pursuing equality beyond simply prohibiting discrimination. Written in a clear and concise style, Equality and Discrimination Law in Australia: An Introduction is a vital resource for students.




Equality and Discrimination Law in Australia: An Introduction


Book Description

Equality and Discrimination Law in Australia: An Introduction explores four decades of anti-discrimination laws in Australia. Beth Gaze and Belinda Smith argue that effective laws protecting against and deterring discrimination are vital for a fair future, and emphasise the theoretical and social contexts that underpin this area of the law. The text is divided into three sections: the first addresses the social and conceptual context, history and framework of anti-discrimination laws; the second analyses the main elements of the law and the processes of enforcement; and the third explores broader avenues for pursuing equality beyond simply prohibiting discrimination. Written in a clear and concise style, Equality and Discrimination Law in Australia: An Introduction is a vital resource for students.




Sex Discrimination in Uncertain Times


Book Description

This collection of essays arose from a conference held to mark the silver anniversary of the Australian Sex Discrimination Act (1984). The collection has two aims: first; to honour the contributions of both the spirited individuals who valiantly fought for the enactment of the legislation against the odds, and those who championed the new law once it was passed; secondly, to present a stock-take of the Act within the changed socio-political environment of the 21st century. The contributors present clear-eyed appraisals of the legislation, in addition to considering new forms of legal regulation, such as Equality Act, and the significance of a Human Rights Act. The introduction of a proactive model, which would impose positive duties on organisations, is explored as an alternative to the existing individual complaint-based model of legislation. The contributors also pay attention to the international human rights framework, particularly the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People. The essays are illuminated by recourse to a rich vein of historical and contemporary literature. Regard is also paid to the comparative experience of other jurisdictions, particularly the UK and Canada.




I'm Not Racist But ... 40 Years of the Racial Discrimination Act


Book Description

Is Australia a 'racist' country? Why do issues of race and culture seem to ignite public debate so readily? Tim Soutphommasane, Australia's Race Discrimination Commissioner, reflects on the national experience of racism and the progress that has been made since the introduction of the Racial Discrimination Act in 1975. As the first federal human rights and discrimination legislation, the Act was a landmark demonstration of Australia's commitment to eliminating racism. Published to coincide with the Act's fortieth anniversary, this book gives a timely and incisive account of the history of racism, the limits of free speech, the dimensions of bigotry and the role of legislation in our society's response to discrimination. With contributions by Maxine Beneba Clarke, Bindi Cole Chocka, Benjamin Law, Alice Pung and Christos Tsiolkas.




Australian Anti-Discrimination Law


Book Description

This new edition of Australia's most comprehensive book on anti-discrimination law has been fully revised and updated, re-written and reformatted to enhance its accessibility. It continues to offer both a substantial text for a specialist audience, and a powerful critique of anti-discrimination law in Australia. The authors support their analysis and explanation of legislation and case law with carefully selected extracts from a broad range of decisions, law reform reports, and academic writers and commentators."[T]his encyclopaedic work is simply indispensable. The authors are acknowledged experts and seasoned campaigners, and their lucid exposition is enriched by extensive quotation from the work of other expert commentators. The coverage is breathtaking in its scope and depth, the attention to detail astonishing. To identify the differences between State, Territory and Commonwealth provisions, topic by topic, is a work of herculean proportions, requiring meticulous care." - The Hon Justice Chris Maxwell AC (from the foreword)Key Features of the New EditionRevised introduction to and overview of Australian anti-discrimination law.New standalone chapters for Protected Attributes: Race Discrimination, Sex Discrimination, Disability Discrimination, Age Discrimination, Carers' Responsibilities and Other Protected Attributes.Detailed account of legislative reform and developments in case law, in all nine jurisdictions, up to late 2017.An account of changed complaints procedures under the Australian Human Rights Commission Act, and of the case law and public debate that triggered the changes.Comprehensive analysis of the operation of special measures provisions in all of the anti-discrimination statutes.Integrated discussion of the exceptions to the prohibition of discrimination for each attribute and in each area.




Discrimination Law and Practice


Book Description

This seminal textbook on the practical application of Australian discrimination law is suitable for all involved in this branch of the law – lawyers, business people, human resources and industrial relations staff, advocates and students. Discrimination Law and Practice examines important recent cases in key areas of discrimination law and particularly in all aspects of employment and harassment, the provision of goods and services and education.




Equality, Discrimination and the Law


Book Description

In identifying a number of ‘fuzzy border’ cases (notably where pensionable age, pregnancy, residence, and marriage, are proxies for unlawful discrimination), Equality, Discrimination and the Law argues that the traditional notions of discrimination and victimisation are inadequate to implement equality policy and cannot represent fully the reality of discriminatory practices. When Mr and Mrs James - each aged 61 - went swimming, Mr James was charged for entry, while Mrs James was admitted free. The reason was that the local authority offered free swimming to those of ‘pensionable age’ (at the time, 65 for men and 60 for women). The House of Lords found that Mr James had suffered direct sex discrimination. This majority plurality decision indicated that sometimes a given set of facts does not neatly accord to traditional definitions of discrimination. This in turn encourages the judiciary to shape the law to fit the facts, which results in an inconsistent body of law full of ‘fuzzy borders’. Starting with the James case, this book investigates a number of ‘fuzzy border’ cases in the EU and UK based on nationality discrimination, notions of indirect discrimination, pregnancy and sex discrimination, marriage and sexual orientation discrimination, perceived discrimination, and victimisation. The argument concludes that fixed notions such as ‘direct and indirect discrimination are mutually exclusive’ do not stand up to scrutiny and that it must be recognised that the traditional concepts of discrimination and victimisation do not reflect the reality of practice. This work is essential reading for students, scholars and practitioners in all EU and English-speaking jurisdictions, particularly post-graduates, Policy/Law-makers, and those on dedicated equality undergraduate courses.




Discrimination, Copyright and Equality


Book Description

While equality laws operate to enable access to information, these laws have limited power over the overriding impact of market forces and copyright laws that focus on restricting access to information. Technology now creates opportunities for everyone in the world, regardless of their abilities or disabilities, to be able to access the written word – yet the print disabled are denied reading equality, and have their access to information limited by laws protecting the mainstream use and consumption of information. The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the World Intellectual Property Organization's Marrakesh Treaty have swept in a new legal paradigm. This book contributes to disability rights scholarship, and builds on ideas of digital equality and rights to access in its analysis of domestic disability anti-discrimination, civil rights, human rights, constitutional rights, copyright and other equality measures that promote and hinder reading equality.




Empirical Research and Workplace Discrimination Law


Book Description

In Empirical Research and Workplace Discrimination Law, part of the series Comparative Discrimination Law, Alysia Blackham offers a succinct comparative survey of empirical research that is occurring in workplace discrimination law, across jurisdictions such as the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Drawing on case studies of existing scholarship, Alysia Blackham offers both a rationale for conducting empirical research in this area, and methodological options for researchers considering empirical work. Using examples from case law and public policy, Alysia Blackham considers the impact that empirical research is having on discrimination law and policy, and highlights fundamental gaps in existing empirical scholarship. Other titles published in this series: - Comparative Discrimination Law: Historical and Theoretical Frameworks, Laura Carlson; isbn 9789004345447 - International Human Rights Law and Discrimination Protections; A Comparison of Regional and National Responses, Mpoki Mwakagali; isbn 9789004345461 - Age as a Protected Ground, Lucy Vickers; isbn 9789004345539 - Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Discrimination, Holning Lau; isbn 9789004345485 - Racial Discrimination, Tanya Katerí Hernández; isbn 9789004345942




Australian Anti-discrimination Law


Book Description

**NEW EDITION FORTHCOMING FEBRUARY 2014 - for more information please email: [email protected] is the first cases and materials book in the field of Australian anti-discrimination law. The book, which deals with all Australian jurisdictions, contains a detailed analysis of Australian anti-discrimination law as well as extracts from all of the major cases and the writings of leading commentators.All of the major grounds of unlawful discrimination, such as race, sex and disability, are considered in detail. The book records the history of the major pieces of anti-discrimination legislation and it includes numerous suggestions for reform. While the book deals systematically and critically with all aspect of anti-discrimination law, such as grounds, areas of activity, exceptions, procedure, and remedies, it also contains extensive materials dealing with the policy goals of the law.The central chapter in the book is devoted to the concept of unlawful discrimination. All of the major High Court decisions concerning the notions of direct and indirect discrimination are extracted, explained and analysed. The chapter also contains a useful overview of the international history of these concepts, with references to leading United States and United Kingdom cases.The book will be of interest to practitioners as well as students, especially as there are comprehensive chapters in the areas of procedure and remedies. Each chapter contains problems for students.