Anti-discrimination push goes national
Victims of anti-gay discrimination will soon have a national website to turn to for information on the different protections and procedures in each state and territory.
The new National Anti-Discrimination Information Gateway is expected to be ready early next year following an agreement on Friday by the states and territories towards harmonising of anti-discrimination laws.
-œThere are separate anti-discrimination laws and commissions in every jurisdiction, which can make it difficult for people to raise concerns or find out the information they need, Federal Attorney-General Robert McClelland said.
-œThis one-stop shop will make it easier and simpler for individuals and businesses to get information on human rights and the relevant anti-discrimination commission.
Protections against GLBT-related discrimination vary widely across Australia, as do the processes for making a complaint or seeking compensation.
Several jurisdictions also exempt religious organisations.
A spokesman for the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General said the harmonisation process was in the very early stages and they are not yet considering the substantial differences between each state’s and territory’s protections.
