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Where am I now? Lawlink > Law Reform Commission > Publications > Index

Report 92 (1999) - Review of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW)

Index

How to obtain a copy of this Report

History of this Reference (Digest)


 
 
Aboriginal People 
discrimination on the ground of race 3.43, 3.44, 4.23, 4.214, 4.278
special needs 6.101, 6.102, 6.104, 6.125
traditional marriages 5.45-5.50
Access to places, vehicles and facilities 4.185
coverage under ADA 4.185-4.190, 4.196-4.198
exception, for cultural or religious reasons 6.441, 6.442
incorporation within “services” 4.188-4.196, 4.198
other jurisdictions 4.191-4.193
see also Registered clubs; Provision of goods and services 
Accommodation discrimination 
coverage under ADA 4.199, 4.202-4.206, 4.218-4.222
definition 4.200, 4.201, 4.218, 4.219
exceptions 
accommodation established for religious or  
charitable purposes 6.439, 6.440
accommodation for aged persons 6.89-6.96
accommodation in a private household 4.223-4.227
concessions based on age 6.353-6.355
grounds for complaint 4.213-4.217
other Australian jurisdictions 4.207-4.212
Administrative Decisions Tribunal (ADT) 
accessibility 9.20, 9.21
delays 9.23-9.32
appeal, right of 9.129-9.138
costs 9.103-9.128
officer of the ADB to assist 9.139-9.147
operation and procedures 9.4-9.7, 9.33-9.36, 9.39
conciliation 9.40-9.41
establishing Rules for the Tribunal 9.93-9.102
informality 9.7, 9.93
reasons for decision 9.74, 9.75
representation 9.50-9.61, 9.141-9.146
powers 9.14-9.17
compelling answers/documents 9.64-9.70
confidentiality orders 9.42-9.48
interim and final orders 9.71-9.73
summary dismissal 9.62, 9.63
reserving a decision 9.75
structure and composition 9.1-9.3, 9.8-9.13
Administrative Decisions Tribunal Act 
establishing the ADT 9.1-9.4, 9.7
overlap with ADA 9.6, 9.18, 9.19, 9.139
Age discrimination 5.109-5.124
compulsory retirement 5.110-5.115
exceptions 6.304-6.398
general prohibition 5.117-5.124
qualifying bodies 6.311-6.313
see also Grounds of discrimination and Exceptions  
and exemptions 
AIDS, see HIV/AIDS 
Alternative mode of dispute resolution, see Conciliation 
Anti-Discrimination Act (see also Table of Statutes) 
application to the Commonwealth 2.90-2.93
areas of operation 4.19-4.31
intent of parliament 1.2
interaction with State and Commonwealth laws 2.1-2.8, 2.61-2.89
legislative development 1.3, 1.4, 1.9
objectives of Act 3.109-3.114
rationale for the legislation 1.5-1.8
see also Discrimination (general prohibition); Discrimination laws; Exceptions and exemptions; Public/private distinction 
Anti-Discrimination Board (ADB) 
composition and structure 1.21, 1.22, 1.25, 1.26
general functions 8.1, 8.3-8.6
role of President 8.5, 8.6, 9.143-9,147, 10.71
see also Complaint handling process, Public enforcement 
Anti-Discrimination model of legislation, see Complaint based model of enforcement 
Appeals, see Administrative Decisions Tribunal; Complaint handling process 
Areas of operation 
see Access to places, vehicles and facilities 
see Accommodation 
see Disposal of interests in land 
see Education 
see Employment 
see Government activities 
see Provision of goods and services 
see Registered clubs 
see also Public/private distinction 
Australian Constitution 2.3
inconsistency of State and Commonwealth laws 2.5-2.7, 2.42-2.51, 2.94-2.98
Australian Industrial Relations Commission, see Industrial Relations laws 
Awards, see Industrial Relations laws 
Carer responsibilities 
arguing for protection 5.185-5.190, 5.201, 5.202, 5.208, 5.218-5.220
exceptions 6.444-6.446
formulating a definition 5.203-5.207
industrial relations law 5.195
legislative coverage 5.191-5.200
marital status 5.208-5.211
scope of prohibition 5.212-5.217
Clubs and associations, see Registered clubs 
Codes of Practice or Guidelines 8.223-8.232
Comparability, see Direct discrimination 
Compensation, see Remedies 
Complainants 8.12-8.18
access to legal representation 9.56-9.61, 9.141-9.146, 8.118-8.123
agents 8.19, 8.20, 9.51, 9.58, 9.60
capacity 8.34-8.38, 9.51, 9.52, 9.61
death of 8.147-8.150
representative bodies or persons 8.27-8.38, 9.50-9.55, 9.61
representative complaints 8.21-8.26, 9.76-9.92
trade unions 4.75, 8.32
see also Class actions 
Complaint based model of enforcement 
Australian agencies, examples 8.199-8.202
overseas agencies, examples 8.195-8.198
private complaints model 8.192-8.194, 8.205
public enforcement model, a proposal 8.203-8.206
power of inquiry 8.207-8.220
resources 8.221, 8.222
Complaint handling process 
acceptance or rejection of complaints 8.57-8.59, 8.79-8.84, 8.135-8.140
assessment of current and potential procedures 8.172-8.191
compulsion, conferences and documents 8.70-8.78
conciliation 8.92-8.128
investigation 8.60-8.65
and conciliation 8.93-8.96
effectiveness of process 8.85-8.91
powers of President 8.66-8.84
referral for inquiry 8.81-8.84, 8.151-8.156, 8.165-8.171
review of decisions 8.79-8.84, 8.156, 8.157
termination of complaints 8.129-8.150
lapse of complaint 8.139, 8.140
revival of terminated complaints 8.141, 8.142
time limits 8.48-8.56
see also Administrative Decisions Tribunal; Conciliation; Complaints 
Complaints 
amending or withdrawing 8.129, 8.134-8.140
content of complaint 8.43-8.47
form of complaint 8.11, 8.39-8.42
parallel complaint 2.47
representative complaints 8.21-8.26, 9.76-9.92
see also Complaint handling process; Administrative Decisions Tribunal 
Conciliation 
confidentiality of information 8.92, 8.97-8.107
secrecy provisions 8.108-8.117
FOI documents 8.110, 8.112, 8.113, 8.115
enforcement of agreements 8.125-8.128
informal process 8.92
remedies 8.124
representation 8.118-8.123
settlement 8.129-8.133
see also Complaint handling process and Administrative Decisions Tribunal 
Confidential information, see Conciliation 
Credit applications 6.382-6.385
Difference 3.12, 3.16-3.20
see also Relevant difference; Irrelevant considerations 
Differential treatment 3.10, 3.26, 3.27, 3.41, 3.65, 3.74
see also Benign discrimination; Reasonable accommodation 
Direct discrimination 3.4, 3.28-3.64
characteristics, appertaining or imputed to 3.47-3.50, 3.59-3.62, 5.17, 5.18, 5.20, 5.29-5.40
comparability model 3.4, 3.14, 3.31-3.34, 3.52
definition 3.28-3.30, 3.47
less favourable treatment 3.4, 3.28, 3.29, 3.32, 3.33
motive 3.37
objective assessment 3.38
Director of Equal Opportunity and Public Employment1.24-1.30
Disability discrimination 
and education 5.81-5.86, 6.280-6.285
and employment 3.77-3.79, 5.65-5.76
and provision of goods and services 5.77-5.80
definition 5.61-5.63, 5.65, 5.66
disability standards 8.227, 8.232
exceptions 6.271-6.302
reasonable accommodation 3.13, 3.65-3.85, 5.65-5.76
undue hardship defence 2.30, 3.73, 3.74, 3.82, 3.83, 5.212-5.215
Discrimination 
benign discrimination 3.41-3.44, 3.57
“detriment”, concept of 3.31, 3.33, 3.34, 3.52, 3.53, 3.57, 3.63, 3.64, 3.100, 4.63-4.65
future discrimination 3.45, 3.46, 3.58
principles, underlying 3.1-3.3, 3.5, 3.35, 3.36
see also Anti-Discrimination Act; Direct discrimination; Discrimination laws; Exceptions and exemptions; Grounds of discrimination; Indirect discrimination; Liability; Remedies; Unlawful conduct 
Discrimination laws 
duplication of State and Commonwealth laws 2.71-2.74
general prohibition 4.4-4.9, 4.19-4.29
inconsistency of State and Commonwealth laws 2.47- 2.51, 2.65-2.70, 2.74
judicial interpretation, (see also Table of Cases) 3.5, 3.6, 3.9, 3.16-3.21, 3.23, 3.24, 3.32, 3.33, 3.37, 3.38, 3.54, 3.67, 3.68, 3.87
jurisdiction, choice of 2.54-2.57, 4.78-4.80
operation, model of 4.3-4.9
see also Codes of Practice; Direct discrimination; Indirect discrimination; Public/private distinction 
Dismissal, see Employment discrimination 
Disparate impact discrimination see Indirect discrimination 
Disposal of interests in land 
legislative coverage 4.273-4.279, 4.289, 4.290
definition 4.280, 4.281
types of interests in land 4.282-4.288
Dominant group 3.9, 3.10
Education discrimination 
access to benefits/facilities/services 4.168-4.172
admission as a student 4.167
age, on the grounds of 6.331-6.339
coverage under ADA 4.166-4.175
curriculum 4.169, 4.171
exceptions for special measures 3.44
expulsion 4.173, 4.174
other Australian jurisdictions 4.174, 4.176, 4.177, 4.180, 4.181
private educational authorities, current  
exception 4.178-4.184, 6.434, 6.435
single-sex schools 6.181-6.187
Employment discrimination 
contract workers 4.34-4.36, 4.60
definition 4.36, 4.37
employment agencies 4.58, 4.60
exceptions 
employment in a private household 4.86-4.93, 6.426, 6.443
employment of a couple 6.244-6.248
small business exception 4.94-4.100, 6.443
partnerships with less than six people 4.101-4.103
employment by a private educational  
authority 4.104-4.128
inherent requirements for job 3.71, 5.65, 5.68-5.71
junior employees 4.35, 6.314-6.321
members of Parliament, liability of 4.45-4.52
recruitment 4.53-4.58
termination of employment 4.63-4.65, 4.77, 4.81
terms and conditions of employment (including promotion, training and transfer) 4.53, 4.54, 4.59-4.62, 4.102
volunteers and unpaid workers 4.38-4.44
see also Education discrimination; Industrial Relations laws; Sexual harassment 
Equal Opportunity Division of the Administrative Decisions Tribunal, see Administrative Decisions Tribunal 
Equal Opportunity Tribunal (EOT) 
offences relating to witnesses 10.88
operation 1.23, 8.2, 8.6, 9.7, 9.10
see also Administrative Decisions Tribunal; Complaint handling process 
Equal opportunity programs 6.125
Equal treatment 3.9-3.12, 3.80
Equality 
formal 3.12, 3.14-3.27
international law perspective 3.42
constitutional guarantees 3.21-3.23
substantive 3.14-3.27, 6.97-6.119
see also Equal treatment; Relevant difference; Irrelevant considerations 
Exceptions and exemptions 6.1-6.4
burden of proof 9.148
exemptions 
granted by Minister 6.120, 6.122-6.131
special needs programs and activities 5.120, 6.132-6.144, 6.365
general exceptions 
acts done under statutory authority 6.5, 6.6-6.46, 6.310, 6.363, 6.364
charitable benefits 6.5, 6.47-6.59
establishments providing housing  
accommodation for aged persons 6.5, 6.89-6.96
religious bodies 6.5, 6.60-6.72
voluntary bodies 6.5, 6.73-6.88
special measures 3.44, 3.57, 6.97-6.119
specific exceptions 
age 6.304-6.398
carer responsibilities 6.444-6.446
disability 6.271-6.302
homosexuality 6.303
marital status 6.244-6.270
political opinion 6.413-6.426
race 6.146-6.166
religion 6.413-6.418, 6.427-6.443
sex 6.167-6.243
transgender status 6.399-6.412
Family responsibilities, see Carer responsibilities 
Gender 4.12, 4.13, 4.65, 4.98
Genuine occupational qualification (GOQ) 4.12, 4.128, 6.147-6.151, 6.169-6.180, 6.322-6.324, 6.420, 6.421, 6.424, 6.430-6.433, 6.445
Goods, services and facilities discrimination, see Provision of goods and services 
Government activities, discrimination in 
definition 4.291
legislative coverage 4.292-4.300, 6.421
need for ADA coverage 4.301-4.303
Grounds of discrimination 
existing grounds 
age 5.6, 5.109-5.124
disability 3.76-3.85, 5.61-5.76
homosexuality 5.5, 5.96-5.107
marital status 5.43-5.54
race 5.2, 5.9-5.20
sex 5.3, 5.21-5.42
transgender 5.108, 5.125-5.137
legislative development 5.1-5.7
potential grounds not included 5.138-5.140
accent 5.138, 5.241-5.244
appearance 5.94, 5.95, 5.223-5.231
criminal record 5.139, 5.232-5.237
“drug use” 5.139, 5.87-5.93
geographical location, social status and  
occupation 5.138, 5.139, 5.245-5.248
industrial activity and trade union  
membership 5.221, 5.222
unborn children 5.138, 5.238-5.240
new grounds 
breastfeeding 5.41, 5.42
carer responsibilities 5.185-5.220
political opinion 5.172-5.184
pregnancy 5.23-5.40
religion5.141-5.171
sexuality 5.96-5.106
see also Unlawful conduct 
Guidelines or Codes of Practice 8.223-8.232
Harassment 
definition 7.8, 7.9, 7.25-7.42
form of discrimination 7.12-7.24
other jurisdictions 7.18-7.21, 7.25-7.40
“reasonable person” test 7.36-7.42
remedies 10.2, 10.4, 10.9-10.12, 10.16-10.63
see also Racial discrimination; Sexual harassment; Sexuality 
HIV/AIDS 4.151
Homosexuality, see Grounds of discrimination; Sexuality 
Human rights, see International Human Rights  
Laws 3.2, 3.3
Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) 
co-operative arrangements 2.56-2.60
determinations by 2.52, 2.53
procedural aspects 2.53
Indirect discrimination 3.86-3.107
definition, ADA 3.89-3.91
disproportionate impact 3.86, 3.89, 3.90, 3.95, 3.99, 3.100, 5.16, 5.19
judicial interpretation 3.87, 3.91-3.98
“not reasonable” 3.89, 3.90, 3.102-3.107
proportionality test 3.91-3.100
see also Reasonableness 
Industrial organisation, see Trade unions 
Industrial Relations laws 
Australian Industrial Relations Commission 2.34, 2.86
Australian Workplace Agreements 2.87
awards 2.75, 2.76, 2.77-2.83, 2.86, 4.69, 4.71, 4.74, 4.76
certified agreements 2.88, 4.70
discrimination laws, conflict with 2.75-2.85
discrimination laws, duplication with 2.32-2.35, 4.66-4.76, 4.78-4.84
family responsibilities 5.195
freedom of association 2.89
Industrial Relations Commission 4.69
termination of employment 2.35, 2.36-2.39, 4.68
trade unions 4.75
see also Discrimination laws; Unfair dismissal 
Infectious Diseases and public health 6.272-6.278
Insurance 6.231-6.243, 6.286-6.293, 6.378-6.381
Intellectual impairment, see Grounds of discrimination 
International human rights laws, (see also Table of International Instruments) 2.11-2.14, 2.94, 3.2, 3.3, 4.4-4.7, 4.23-4.26, 5.143, 5.144, 7.60
Investigation, see Complaint handling process 
Irrelevant considerations 3.35-3.40, 3.53-3.56, 3.67
and pregnancy 5.23-5.40
Lesbianism, see Sexuality 
Liability 
aiding and abetting 7.215-7.228
burden of proof 9.148
joint and several liability 7.211-7.214
provisions in other jurisdictions 7.196-7.200
sections 52 and 53 of the ADA 7.182-7.200
vicarious liability 7.201-7.210, 7.217
Marital status 
definition 5.43, 5.44, 5.54
exceptions to discrimination laws 6.244-6.270
extending the definition 5.55-5.60
recognition of traditional marriages 5.45-5.50
same sex relationships 5.51-5.54
see also Grounds of discrimination 
Partnerships 4.58, 4.60
Physical impairment, see Disability 
Political opinion 
definition of 5.176-5.184
see also Grounds of discrimination 
Pregnancy, see Grounds of discrimination 
Promotion, see Employment discrimination 
Provision of Goods and Services 
coverage under ADA 4.133-4.137
definition of “goods” 4.158-4.160
definition of “services” 4.151-4.157, 4.186, 4.188-4.195
exceptions 6.340-6.352
other Australian jurisdictions 4.139-4.150
prohibition of discrimination 4.129-4.132, 6.279
provision of “benefits” 4.161-4.163
United Kingdom jurisdiction 4.138
Public enforcement 8.192-8.222
approaches in other areas of law 8.194
other jurisdictions 8.195-8.202
powers of the President of the ADB 8.207-8.221
Public health and infectious diseases 6.272-6.278
Public/private distinction 4.1-4.29
and gender 4.13
and operation of the ADA 4.3-4.9, 4.19-4.29
validity of 4.10-4.18
see also Areas of operation 
Public safety considerations 6.386-6.393
Race, see Grounds of discrimination; Racial discrimination 
Racial discrimination 
case law 5.18-5.20
employment, in 5.16-5.20
ethnic origin 2.16, 2.17, 5.9, 5.12, 5.15
ethno-religious origin 5.9, 5.12-5.15
harassment 7.10, 7.12, 7.18, 7.20
language 5.16-5.20
legislative provisions 4.4-4.7, 4.35, 5.9
national origin 2.16, 2.17, 5.9
nationality 5.9-5.11
vilification, see Racial Vilification 
see also Discrimination; Exceptions and exemptions; Unlawful acts 
Racial vilification 5.2, 5.183, 7.18, 7.51-7.52, 7.68, 7.89, 7.101, 7.114, 7.115, 7.119-7.121, 7.142-7.148
Reasonable accommodation 3.13, 3.65-3.85, 5.65-5.74, 5.212-5.217
see also Disability discrimination 
Reasonableness 3.101-3.107
see also Indirect discrimination 
Registered clubs 
coverage under ADA 4.228-4.230, 4.233, 4.234, 4.249-4.254
definition 4.231, 4.232, 4.271
exceptions to membership 6.152-6.159, 6.188-6.197, 6.297-6.302, 6.356-6.362, 6.423-6.424, 6.436-6.438
expanding the area of operation 4.249-4.268, 4.269-4.272
incorporated bodies 4.257-4.263, 4.267
industrial organisations 4.235
other Australian jurisdictions 4.241-4.248
sporting and recreational clubs 4.236, 4.237
voluntary bodies 4.238-4.240, 4.249-4.254
Relevant difference see Irrelevant considerations 3.16-3.20, 3.24, 3.55
Religion, freedom of 
formulating a legal definition 5.158-5.171
legislative coverage 5.141-5.146
religious bodies 5.148, 5.150-5.152
proposed ground of discrimination 5.145, 5.147-5.157
see also Grounds of discrimination; Employment discrimination 
Remedies 
apologies and retractions 10.59-10.61
availability of 10.2-10.4, 10.8, 10.15-10.17
compensation 10.18-10.20
statutory ceiling 10.21-10.37
aggravated damages 10.41
assessment of damages 10.38-10.40
exemplary damages 10.42-10.45
non-economic loss 10.39-10.40
cy-pres orders 9.91
declarations 10.58
enforcement 10.82-10.85, 10.89-10.90
adequacy of penalties 10.86, 10.87
monitoring 10.56, 10.57
injunctions 10.46-10.49
interest 10.76-10.81
mandatory orders 10.50-10.57
variation of contractual terms 10.62, 10.63
role of EOT 10.6, 10.9-10.10, 10.17
power of courts 10.72-10.75
Representative complaint, see Complaints 
Representative proceedings, see Class actions 
Schools, see Education discrimination 
Sex discrimination 
breastfeeding 5.41, 5.42
carer responsibilities 3.79, 3.80, 3.82, 4.73, 5.22
cases 4.171, 4.172, 4.189, 4.298
pregnancy 5.3, 5.23-5.40, 5.42
see also Accommodation discrimination; Education discrimination; Employment discrimination; Exceptions and exemptions; Industrial Relations laws; Marital Status; Sexual harassment 
Sexual harassment 
areas of operation 7.43-7.49
coverage of members of Parliament 4.46-4.52, 4.292, 4.293, 4.297
definition of 7.10, 7.11, 7.25-7.28
provisions in other jurisdictions 7.25-7.35
employment, and 4.38, 5.3, 7.23, 7.36, 7.42, 7.43, 7.195, 7.209
prohibition, basis of 7.22, 7.23
see also Sex discrimination; Harassment 
Sexuality 
bisexuality 5.96, 5.100, 5.102, 5.106
heterosexuality 5.96, 5.97, 5.99-5.101, 5.104-5.106
homosexuality 4.170, 4.194, 5.5, 5.96-5.107
lesbianism 5.107
see also Grounds of discrimination 
Special measures 3.43, 3.44, 3.57, 3.74, 6.97-6.119
Sport 
and age 6.394-6.398
and disability 6.294-6.296
and marital status 6.160-6.163
and race 6.198-6.209
and transgender status 6.404-6.412
Students, see Education discrimination 
Superannuation 
and age 6.366-6.377
and disability 6.286-6.293
and marital status 6.249-6.270
and sex 6.210-6.230
and transgender status 6.401-6.403
Time limits, see Complaint handling process 
Trade unions 4.58, 4.60
see also Complainants; Grounds of discrimination 
Transgender 5.125-5.137
definition 5.126-5.128
discrimination on the ground of 5.129, 5.130
exceptions 6.399-6.412
legislative coverage 5.131-5.137
Transsexuality, see Transgender 
Unfair dismissal, see Employment discrimination 
Unlawful conduct 
discriminatory advertising 7.6, 7.170-7.181
harassment 7.3, 7.8-7.49
victimisation 7.5, 7.149-7.169
vilification 7.4, 7.50-7.148
Unlawful discrimination, see Discrimination 
Vicarious liability, see Liability 
Victimisation 
components of 7.149, 7.150
conduct constituting 7.151-7.154
criminal offence, as a 7.164-7.169
defences 7.160-7.163
remedies 10.2, 10.4, 10.16, 10.17, 10.64
subject to detriment 7.152-7.154
subsequent complaint, need for 7.159
see also Unlawful conduct 
Vilification 
elements of vilification 
hatred, serious contempt or severe ridicule 7.97, 7.127, 7.128
incitement 7.97, 7.101, 7.107-7.111, 7.114-7.126
public act 7.97, 7.99-7.113
exceptions 7.129-7.140
freedom of speech 7.55-7.57, 7.61-7.65, 7.75, 7.93
legislative protection 7.51-7.54, 7.74-7.85
grounds of vilification 7.51, 7.96
other suggested grounds of vilification 7.86-7.96
regulation, for and against 7.55-7.73
remedies 10.3, 10.13, 10.14, 10.52, 10.65, 10.66
serious vilification 7.141-7.148
Voluntary bodies, see Registered clubs 
Women 
characteristics appertaining to 3.41, 3.48, 3.49, 3.60
disadvantage against group 3.11, 3.91-3.100
public/private distinction 4.10, 4.12-4.18
relevant difference 3.77-3.79, 3.82, 3.85, 4.12
see Direct discrimination; Grounds of discrimination; Indirect discrimination 
 



Terms of Reference | Participants | List of abbreviations
Executive summary | List of recommendations
Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5
Chapter 6 | Chapter 7 | Chapter 8 | Chapter 9 | Chapter 10
Appendix A | Appendix B | Appendix C | Appendix D
Table of legislation | Table of international instruments | Table of cases
Select bibliography | Index

Table of Contents



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