News, reports and submissions

Latest news

Latest news

Human Rights Week 2020 Tasmanian Awards

On 10 December 2020, Equal Opportunity Tasmania hosted the Human Rights Week 2020 Tasmanian Awards. The Attorney General, the Honourable Elise Archer, MP presented awards to 22 recipients at a ceremony held in the Premier's Reception Room. Awards were presented to Tasmanians who demonstrated acts of kindness and compassion towards fellow Tasmanians. The award recipients included individuals, community groups and organisations that have each made a positive difference in the Tasmanian community.

Award recipients (PDF, 284.7 KB)

Equal Opportunity: a workplace guide for employers in Tasmania

Equal Opportunity Tasmania has prepared a guide for everyone involved in employment in Tasmania - business owners, chief executives, managers, supervisors, human resource departments and recruitment agencies.  It gives practical ways to make equal opportunity work for you and not against you.  It provides action checklists, which will help you make your workplace fairer.

All employers big or small, have to work within the law.  It makes good business sense.  Equal Opportunity helps you manage and get the best out of people.

Tasmania's Elder Abuse Prevention Strategy 2019-2022

The Tasmanian Government has recently released the Respect and Protect Older Tasmanians: Tasmania's Elder Abuse Prevention Strategy 2019-2022. The strategy aims to ensure that the Tasmanian community understands and recognises elder abuse and, as a community, is committed to responding to and preventing the abuse of older Tasmanians.

The Link Youth Health Service Outreach Program

Equal Opportunity Tasmania has partnered with The Link Youth Health Service (The Link) to help young people aged 12 to 25 identify and deal with discrimination experienced in Tasmania. Staff from Equal Opportunity Tasmania visit The Link to provide information about individuals rights and responsibilities under the Anti-Discrimination Act 1998 (Tas).

The face-to-face outreach sessions are currently suspended.

Migrant Resource Centre Tasmania Outreach Program

Equal Opportunity Tasmania has partnered with the Migrant Resource Centre Tasmania (MRC Tas) to help their clients deal with discrimination and racism experienced in Tasmania. Staff from Equal Opportunity Tasmania visit MRC Tas to give their clients information about their rights and responsibilities under the Anti-Discrimination Act 1998 (Tas).

The face-to-face outreach sessions are currently suspended.

The Review and frequently asked questions

Independent Review into Parliamentary practices and procedures to support workplace culture (the Review)

In 2021 – 2022, the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner undertook the Independent Review into Parliamentary practices and procedures to support workplace culture (the Review).

The final report and recommendations have now been released.

Full report:

Summary report:

Motion for Respect: Report into Workplace Culture in the Tasmanian Ministerial and Parliamentary Services (Summary Report – August 2022) (PDF, 630.1 KB)

The Terms of Reference set out the scope of the Review. More information about what the Review involved is set out in the FAQ below.

The Independent Reviewer also published a Progress Update mid-way through the Review.

Progress Update:

Independent Review into Parliamentary practices and procedures to support workplace culture Progress Update (March 2022)

Media Releases

The following media releases are related to the Review:

Terms of Reference

The Terms of Reference outline the scope of the Review in more detail.

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Media releases

Latest media releases

Media releases

Talking Point by Sarah Bolt, Anti-Discrimination Commissioner titled “Why should we care about human rights and discrimination at election time?"

International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination - 21 March

International Zero Discrimination Day - 1 March

Human Rights Day 2021

Other media releases

Media releases

2020

Tasmanian Human Rights Week Awards 2020

Talking point by Sarah Bolt, Anti-Discrimination Commissioner titled 'A law misunderstood'

Obeying Anti-Discrimination law is not a matter of choice

Talking point by Sarah Bolt, Anti-Discrimination Commissioner titled 'Age: Everybody's business'

Talking point by Sarah Bolt, Anti-Discrimination Commissioner titled 'What if it were me', highlighting the impact of homelessness

Talking point by Sarah Bolt, Anti-Discrimination Commissioner titled 'Coronavirus: The Silent Discriminator'

Media statement by Sarah Bolt, Anti-Discrimination Commissioner in relation to residential aged care lockdowns due to COVID-19

Opinion Piece by Sarah Bolt, Anti-Discrimination Commissioner titled COVID-19 - Unsettling times, but what are we forgetting?

Media statement by Sarah Bolt, Anti-Discrimination Commissioner in relation to COVID-19 and discrimination law

Media statement by Sarah Bolt, Anti-Discrimination Commissioner in relation to coronavirus and unlawful discriminatory behaviours

2018 - 19

Media statement by Sarah Bolt, Anti-Discrimination Commissioner in response to comments by Archbishop Julian Porteous on Religious Discrimination Bill

September 2019 - Religious Discrimination Bill would create an uneven playing field (PDF, 268.9 KB)

Media statement regarding the proposed Federal Government's Religious Discrimination Bill 2019

Media statement on welcome changes to the Tasmanian Anti-Discrimination Act 1998 in relation to gender identity

Media release regarding the Rally for Kindness held on 7 December 2018

Media statement by Sarah Bolt, Anti-Discrimination Commissioner in response to reports of racist comments and graffiti targeting individuals standing for election in local government elections

Media Statement released by Australian Council of Human Rights Authorities (ACHRA)

August 2018 - Commissioners reject racist policies espoused by Queensland Senator
(DOCX, 19.9 KB)

Media alert regarding the 'Racism. It Stops with Me' roundtable event in Hobart

2016 - 17

Media release by Human Rights Week Organising Committee - Human Rights Week Awards

Media release by Australian Council of Human Rights Authorities (ACHRA) - Human rights bodies call for protection of human rights on Manus Island.

Media release by Sarah Bolt, Anti-Discrimination Commissioner seeking information on the display of Neo-Nazi posters.

Media release by Sarah Bolt, Anti-Discrimination Commissioner encouraging all members of the community to show respect and tolerance during the period of the Australian marriage law postal survey.

Media release by Australian Council of Human Rights Agencies (ACHRA) in relation to the Uluru Statement.

June 2017 - Australia's human rights bodies tell political leaders: Uluru Statement 'cannot be ignored'
(PDF, 161.1 KB)

Media release by Sarah Bolt, Anti-Discrimination Commissioner commenting on proposed amendments to section 17(1) of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1998.

Media release by Vanessa Goodwin, Attorney-General announcing Sarah Bolt as Tasmania's new Anti-Discrimination Commissioner.

January, 2017 - Bolt to be new Anti-Discrimination Commissioner (PDF, 116.6 KB)

2015 - 16

22 March 2016
Communique -  Disability Justice Strategy for Tasmania Project Meetings (DOCX, 273.8 KB)

12 February 2016

Media release announcing the launch of the consultation on Legal recognition of sex and gender diversity in Tasmania: Options for amendments to the Births, Deaths and Marriages Act 1999.

18 December 2015
Statement from the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner in relation to the complaint made by Martine Delaney about the booklet, Don’t Mess With Marriage. (DOCX, 472.0 KB)

3 December 2015
Tasmanians continue to showcase their unwavering commitment to Human Rights (DOC, 57.0 KB)

10 November 2015
Equal Opportunity Tasmania (DOCX, 35.1 KB)

2014 - 15

Commissioner welcomes abolition of mandatory medical assessments of older drivers (DOC, 44.5 KB)

Redressing past wrong: expunging historic criminal records for consensual homosexual sexual activity (DOC, 43.0 KB)

2013 - 14

Amendments improve discrimination processes and protections (DOC, 42.0 KB)

Forty years in support of Aboriginal Rights (DOC, 41.5 KB)

‘Racism. It stops with me’ signing of the pledge  (DOC, 42.5 KB)

2012 - 13

Report It! (DOC, 46.0 KB)

Launch of the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner’s Annual Report 2011-12 (DOC, 45.0 KB)

Join Jackson Bird in taking the Pledge to stop racism  (DOC, 46.5 KB)

2011 - 12

Commissioner welcomes removal of barriers to older drivers (DOC, 43.5 KB)

Launch of the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner’s Annual Report 2010–11 (DOC, 53.0 KB)

Overdue to give people with disability a fair go in work (DOC, 44.0 KB)

Congratulations to Tasmania’s People of Australia Ambassadors (DOC, 44.0 KB)

Using social media to promote women’s rights (DOC, 45.0 KB)

Join the Harmony (DOCX, 369.7 KB)

Race Relations Round Table Communique (DOC, 43.5 KB)

Celebrating Idaho Day – International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia (DOC, 48.5 KB)

Reports, Papers and Submissions

Latest Reports, Papers and Submissions

State Budget Community Consultation Process

Submission by the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner to the Department of Treasury and Finance on the 2021-22 Budget community consultation process, March 2021

Reforms on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) Conversion Practices

Submission by the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner to the Tasmanian Law Reform Institute on reforms addressing sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) conversion practices in Tasmania.

Custodial Inspector Amendment (OPCAT) Bill

Submission by the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner to the Department of Justice on the draft Custodial Inspector Amendment (OPACT) Bill 2020 (the draft Bill), December 2020

Submission on the draft Custodial Inspector Amendment (OPACT) Bill 202 (PDF, 3.1 MB)

Review of the Religious Discrimination Bill 2019

Submission by the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner to the Australian Government Attorney-General's Department on the second exposure draft of the Religious Discrimination Bill (2019) Cth, January 2020.

Submission on the second exposure draft of the Religious Discrimination Bill (2019) Cth (PDF, 746.2 KB)

Submission on the second exposure draft of the Religious Discrimination Bill (2019) Cth (DOCX, 267.5 KB)

Submission by the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner to the Australian Government, Attorney-General's Department on the first exposure draft of the Religious Discrimination Bill (2019) Cth, October 2019.

ACHRA submission to the Australian Government regarding the Religious Freedom Bills

Submission by ACHRA (Australian Council of Human Rights Authorities) to the Australian Government's package of legislative reforms on religious freedom, September 2019.

Review of the Defence of Insanity in s16 of the Criminal code and Fitness to Plead

Submission by the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner to the Tasmanian Law Reform Institute Review of the Defence of Insanity in s16 of the Criminal Code and Fitness to Plead, May 2019.

Section 87 of the Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 (Tas) Review

Submission by the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner in response to the WorkCover Tasmania Board's Review of Section 87 of the Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 (Tas), April 2019.

Draft regulatory framework for the on-demand passenger transport industry

Submission by the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner in response to the Draft regulatory framework for the on-demand passenger transport industry in Tasmania, November 2018.

Draft regulatory framework for the on-demand passenger transport industry
(PDF, 161.4 KB)

Draft regulatory framework for the on-demand passenger transport industry
(DOCX, 222.6 KB)

Review of Community Visitor Schemes

Submission by the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner in response to the national Review of Community Visitor Schemes by the Department of Social Services, November 2018.  Westwood Splice, Independent Consultants are gathering information to inform the review.

Guardianship and Administration Act 1995 (Tas) Review

Submission by the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner to Tasmanian Law Reform Institute Review of the Guardianship and Administration Act 1995 (Tas), March 2018.

Religious Freedom in Australia

Submission by the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner to expert panel on Religious Freedom Protection in Australia, December 2017.

Review of Religious Freedom in Australia
(PDF, 574.0 KB)

Tasmanian Women's Strategy 2018-2020

Submission by the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner on Tasmanian Women's Strategy 2018-2020, October 2017.

Tasmanian Women's Strategy 2018-2020
(PDF, 451.8 KB)

Disability Framework for Action 2018-2020

Submission by the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner on the Disability Framework for Action 2018-2020, June 2017.

Whole of Journey Guide

Submission by the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner on the Whole of Journey Guide: A Guide for thinking beyond compliance to create accessible public transport journeys, May 2017.

Protecting and Strengthening Australia's Multiculturalism and Social Inclusion

Submission by the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner to the Senate Select Committee on protecting and strengthening Australia's multiculturalism and social inclusion, May 2017.

Taxi and Hire Vehicle Industries Regulatory Review

Submission by the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner on the Taxi and Hire Vehicle Industries Regulatory Review, March 2017.

Protecting Freedom of Religion or Belief

Submission by the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner to the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Inquiry into Protecting Freedom of Religion or Belief, January 2017.

Exposure Draft of the Marriage Amendment (Same-Sex Marriage) Bill

Submission to the Senate Select Committee on the Exposure Draft of the Marriage Amendment (Same-Sex Marriage) Bill, January 2017.

Exposure Draft of the Marriage Amendment (Same-Sex Marriage) Bill (PDF, 432.7 KB)

Exposure Draft of the Marriage Amendment (Same-Sex Marriage) Bill (DOCX, 246.6 KB)

Inquiry into Freedom of Speech

Submission to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights Inquiry into Freedom of Speech, December 2016.

Human Rights Inquiry into Freedom of Speech (DOCX, 394.4 KB)

Response to August draft of the Anti-Discrimination Amendment Bill 2016

The Anti-Discrimination Commissioner has responded to the August draft of the Anti-Discrimination Amendment Bill 2016, which proposes to extend defences to conduct done for ‘religious purposes’ and change provisions dealing with rejection and dismissal of complaints made under the Act.

Anti-Discrimination Commissioner Response on the Anti-Discrimination Amendment Bill 2016 (PDF, 458.7 KB)

Anti-Discrimination Commissioner Response on the Anti-Discrimination Amendment Bill 2016 (DOCX, 260.7 KB)

Legal Recognition of Sex and Gender Diversity in Tasmania

Options paper from the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner seeking views on possible amendments to the Births, Deaths and Marriages Act 1999 (Tas) to ensure legal recognition of sex and gender diversity in Tasmania.

Treatment of Historic Records for Consensual Homosexual Sexual Activity

The Anti-Discrimination Commissioner has publicly released her final report on the Treatment of Historic Records for Consensual Homosexual Sexual Activity issue.  The report sets out recommendation for the State Government to consider and has been provided to the Attorney-General, the Hon Vanessa Goodwin.

Treatment of Historic Records for Consensual Homosexual Sexual Activity (PDF, 626 KB)

Treatment of Historic records for Consensual Homosexual Sexual Activity (DOC, 342.5 KB)

Other Reports, Papers and Submissions

Other Reports, Papers and Submissions

The Commissioner has a responsibility to review proposed legislation and make public submissions into State and Federal policies and inquiries where relevant to the Tasmanian Anti-Discrimination Act 1998. Word versions are also available below.

Reports

Final report on annual drivers testing of drivers aged 85 years of age or over written by the Office of the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner

Feb 2008 - Final Report - Annual Driving Tests for drivers 85 years and over PDF, 99.1 KB

Many insurance companies adopt age limits for personal injury insurance for volunteers beyond which they are unwilling to provide insurance coverage.

Volunteers, age and insurance - Investigation Report PDF, 1.0 MB

Submissions

Review of the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002 (Transport Standards). Submission of the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner of Tasmania.

January 2014 - Submission to the Australian Law Reform Commission’s Inquiry into Equality, Capacity and Disability in Commonwealth Laws PDF, 778.4 KB

Submission of the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner, Tasmania,  to the Australian Law Reform Commission’s Inquiry into Equality, Capacity and Disability in Commonwealth Laws

January 2014 - Submission on 'supporting working parents: national review on pregnancy and return to work' to the Australian Human Rights Commission PDF, 515.9 KB

Submission of the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner of Tasmania to the  Australian Human Rights Commission’s Supporting working parents: national review on pregnancy and return to work

April 2014 - Submission on the Exposure draft Freedom of Speech (Repeal of s18C) Bill 2014 PDF, 555.1 KB

Submission of the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner of Tasmania on the Exposure draft  Freedom of Speech  (Repeal of s18C) Bill 2014

May 2014 - Submission on the Draft Policy Paper – Airline Two Wheelchair Policies PDF, 375.2 KB

Submission of the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner of Tasmania on the Draft Policy Paper – Airline Two Wheelchair Policies

July 2014 - 2012 Review of the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002  (Transport Standards) PDF, 371.8 KB

Submission of the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner of Tasmania on the Draft Report on the Review of the Disability Standards for  Accessible Public Transport 2002 (Transport Standards).

May 2015 Submission to the Senate  PDF, 346.5 KB

Submission to the Senate Inquiry into violence, abuse and neglect against people with disability in institutional and residential settings

June 2015 - Submission on review of the Disability (Access to Premises-Building) Standards 2010 PDF, 583.9 KB

August 2015 - ACHRA Submission-Senate Standing Committee on Education and Employment PDF, 554.5 KB

Submission by ACHRA (Australian Council of Human Rights Authorities) to the Senate Standing Committee on Education and Employment

January 2016 - Submission to Willing to Work: National Inquiry into Employment Discrimination Against Older Australians (DOCX, 175.4 KB)

Submissions of the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner, Tasmania to the Australian Human Rights Commission's Willing to Work National Inquiries into employment discrimination.

Alternate word versions

June 2015 - Submission on review of the Disability (Access to Premises-Building) Standards 2010 (DOC, 412.0 KB)

August 2015-ACHRA Submission-Senate Standing Committee on Education and Employment (DOC, 218.5 KB)

May 2015-  OADC Submission to the Senate against people with disability in institutional and residential settings.doc (DOC, 173.0 KB)

April 2015 - Treatment of historic criminal records for consensual homosexual sexual activity and related conduct (DOC, 342.5 KB)

Final report on Annual Driving Tests for Drivers aged 85 years and over (DOC, 222.0 KB)

July 2014 - 2012 Review of the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002  (Transport Standards) (DOC, 133.0 KB)

Submission to the Australian Law Reform Commission’s Inquiry into Equality, Capacity and Disability in Commonwealth Laws (DOC, 353.0 KB)

Submission on 'supporting working parents: national review on pregnancy and return to work' to the Australian Human Rights Commission (DOC, 237.5 KB)

Submission on the Exposure draft Freedom of Speech (Repeal of s18C) Bill 2014 (DOC, 377.5 KB)

Submission on the Draft Policy Paper – Airline Two Wheelchair Policies (DOC, 90.9 KB)

Older submissions may be located on the LINC Tasmania website.


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In respect of rights

In respect of rights

In respect of rights is an email newsletter published by Equal Opportunity Tasmania to be an information, reference and education tool for and about discrimination law and the Tasmanian community and workplaces.

Subscribe to receive the quarterly "In respect of rights" newsletter, with all the latest news from the Commissioner, local and national news and events, training news and calendar as well as feature stories.

Personal Information Protection Statement



Previous editions

Previous editions of the newsletter can be found on the LINC Tasmania website.

ACHRA submissions and communiques

Zero Discrimination Day

Tasmania is beautiful but not everyone experiences it this way.  Some people are treated less favourably because of certain attributes.  Tuesday, March 1 marks International Zero Discrimination Day. In recognition and celebration of this day, Equal Opportunity Tasmania asked people in the community, what would Tasmania be like free from discrimination?.

Released Videos

Media Release

Anti-Discrimination Commissioner Sarah Bolt releases video on International  Zero Discrimination Day, 1 March 2022 (PDF, 548.0 KB)

IDAHOBIT

Two women speaking to Equal Opportunity Tasmania about discrimination

IDAHOBIT 2022

Do you know what to you do if you witness or experience discrimination, harassment or abuse?

Tuesday 17 May, marks International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) - Australia

We have partnered with Working It Out to raise awareness for IDAHOBIT and to provide you with some tips on how to respond.

It's everyone's responsibility to stop discrimination, harassment and abuse against LGBTIQ+ people.

Released videos

IDAHOBIT long: https://vimeo.com/709295764/d3a7d3c0ae. - This is a link to a Vimeo file to be viewed.

IDAHOBIT short: https://vimeo.com/710188805/363fff7494 - This is a link to a Vimeo file to be viewed.