National Equality Act

[WANDERER]

National Equality Act/Human Rights Commission

Moving towards doing away with the sex discrimination act of 1984 in Australia due to " an inadequate level of protection for men against discrimination on the basis of family responsibilities". This is basically a push towards paternity leave and recognition of the need for equal rights rather than stand-alone women's rights.

The commission suggests that there no longer be a place for separate pieces of legislation covering discrimination in different areas such as sex, race and disability.

Of interest: Is the statement that:

churches, community and sporting groups should no longer be exempt from the Sex Discrimination Act. Hmmm, wonder what this will look like in actuality.

Adding news link: Relationships - Life & Style Home - theage.com.au

Edited September 6, 2008 by WANDERER

[Elphaba]

National Equality Act/Human Rights Commission

. . .

Of interest: Is the statement that:

churches, community and sporting groups should no longer be exempt from the Sex Discrimination Act. Hmmm, wonder what this will look like in actuality.

What do you think of it Wanderer? You live in Australia, is that right?

Not living there makes it impossible for me to really know the impact of this change.

But on the surface, I think it is an excellent attempt to address discrimination as much as possible, making it easier for people to make a complaint.

I think it is good to remove the exemptions from churches, community and sporting groups. In fact, why would community and sporting groups have an exemption?

I will be interested to see how this pans out.

Elphaba

[WANDERER]

I think there may be a bit of opposition from sporting groups...higher than from religious groups LOL.

Men will probably see it as timely and I feel that there is a need to revalue fatherhood and to be honest I'm heartily sick of seeing equity portrayed as a feminist issue when it's a family and social issue. But I think it may be shaped a little...and take just as many years as the sex discrimination act did to have the rougher edges of it smoothed out.

I am glad that it will not be as short sighted as the sex discrimination act and will consider equity on a broader scale.

[Elphaba]

Men will probably see it as timely and I feel that there is a need to revalue fatherhood and to be honest I'm heartily sick of seeing equity portrayed as a feminist issue when it's a family and social issue.

As a feminist myself, I could not agree with you more. It is a family issue, and I hope everyone else where you are recognizes that.

Calling it a family issue gives it a powerful message. Good luck!

Elphaba

[WANDERER]

I reckon it's doable : ) .

[Moksha]

In fact, why would community and sporting groups have an exemption?

Elphaba

Perhaps they want all their mates on the field when they play soccer rather than substituting with a 'roo.

[WANDERER]

LOL...footy. Don't think school sport has a soccer team at the moment...occasionally there's a girl's one.

Nah...I thought it would be problematic for international competition rules...if merit applies who cares. Used to play mixed social netball and mixed volleyball (half girls hockey team/half boys footy team: we both played semi-finals) and it doesn't bother me having hulking guys running up the courts ...game of skill...merit rules...in the end it's about playing the best game you can. And yeah, they were team players and we were all good mates. Besides, no one is going to give a girl who wields a hockey stick a hard time ; ).

Socialising: pretty much the same thing...go figure. Wives, hubbies, girlfriends, boyfriends and the kiddies and extended family and friends...all unofficial team members and supporters. Sports always been just as social as it is sport...keeps everyone happy...which is important if you want the support for the time you spend on it. Probably was a moot point when men were working and women were stay-at-home mums and socialised with other stay-at-home mums...but the weekend now is important for everyone...consideration is there.

International sport would kill mixed teams though and when it comes down to it...even if you had the best team...if you can't play then there's no point. No one is going to trade on that.

Still...I'd say the boomers will think it's great on the whole (they passed the sex discrimination act ...mostly about women's rights...and I can't see them as nannying their kid's children during their retirement years so they have an investment in paternal leave)...Prime Minister Rudd's an Xer and looking to remake history with striking reforms and the Yers are beginning to vote...the timing might just be right... and it doesn't seem to be rating amongst the interest rate woes and global climate news...because everyone sees the point of family leave for men and equity; the aging boomers should vote in disability just fine cause they don't want age bias and racial is not even debateable.

The only problem is in it being diluted again to allow for exceptions...and getting another weak thing that will cause ongoing problems.

[christmasvalleyfarms]

Of interest: Is the statement that:

churches, community and sporting groups should no longer be exempt from the Sex Discrimination Act. Hmmm, wonder what this will look like in actuality.

I'm wondering if this will open the door to limiting religious freedoms? Allow people to use legal pressure to try to force churches to....allow women to hold priesthood, for example? Or to perform/acknowledge homosexual marriages, etc.? In short attempt to disallow any expression of beliefs in gender roles?

[JcDean78]

Churchs should always be exempt.

The sports part I have always found interesting. I am a firm believer that if you have the skills to make the team, then allow them to compete. This goes for any job as well. However most of the time that is not possible which is why we divide teams based on gender.

Or if a job has a certain physical requirement (Firefighter) then anyone that meets that standard should have a chance at that job, man or woman. If you do not meet that standard then out you go.

[Bookmeister]

All I can say is that, no matter how many people think of all the possibilities, this piece of legislation is completely subject to the "Law of Unintended Consequences".