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LIV unhappy with equal opportunity changes
The Law Institute of Victoria (LIV) has expressed its disappointment at the amendments to the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 introduced by the Victorian Government.LIV president Caroline Counsel…
Lawyers Weekly
The Law Institute of Victoria (LIV) has expressed its disappointment at the amendments to the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 introduced by the Victorian Government.
"The Government has muzzled the powers of our Equal Opportunity Commissioner to investigate serious systemic workplace discrimination, as well as endorsing employment discrimination in religious schools," Counsel said.
"This is a backward step for equal opportunity and fair employment practices."
Under proposals introduced by the previous Government, the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commissioner would have had the power to address serious discrimination affecting organisations as a whole, and not just individuals.
In a submission last year, the LIV supported the "inherent requirements test" which would have forced religious organisations, including schools, to show that employment discrimination was necessary to fulfill the requirements of the job. This has been removed from the Bill.
"We believe it is important to balance the right to freedom of religious belief with the right to equality," Counsel said.
