Aligning the pieces: consolidating a framework for equality and human rights

PIAC‘s submission draws on our casework experience representing people who have suffered discrimination. Our submission states that PIAC welcomes the Exposure Draft in its current form, but that there are aspects of the Exposure Draft which could be improved and additional areas that should be included to address the current gaps in anti-discrimination legislation in Australia.  

PIAC‘s submission proposes specific changes which in our view, if adopted,  would achieve a fairer and more accessible anti-discrimination regime in Australia. For example, our submission endorses the Exposure Draft’s proposal to make discrimination a no-costs jurisdiction. This would help alleviate the problem that a number of PIAC clients have faced, being that the risk of an adverse costs order discourages them from pursuing even a strong discrimination claim. The submissions also discusses how the Exposure Draft could be amended to reduce the burden on individuals, by allowing organizations to bring discrimination claims on behalf of people. 

The submission draws on PIAC‘s experience running the Homeless Persons’ Legal Service to suggest changes in wording that would protect homeless people from being discriminated against.