Footnotes

CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

[1]        House of Representatives Votes and Proceedings, No. 160—21 March 2013, p. 2198.

[2]        Journals of the Senate, No. 143—21 March 2013, p. 3866.

[3]        Explanatory Memorandum (EM), p. 2.

[4]        EM, p. 4.

[5]        Sex Discrimination Act 1984, sections 5-7A.

[6]        See: Attorney-General's Department, Consolidation of Commonwealth Anti-Discrimination Laws: Discussion Paper, September 2011, p. 21.

[7]        The Hon Mark Dreyfus QC MP, House of Representatives Hansard, 21 March 2013, p. 2893.

[8]        The existing Commonwealth Acts are: the Racial Discrimination Act 1975; the Sex Discrimination Act 1984; the Disability Discrimination Act 1992; the Age Discrimination Act 2004; and the Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986.

[9]        Attorney-General's Department, Australia's Human Rights Framework, http://www.ag.gov.au/RightsAndProtections/HumanRights/HumanRightsFramework/Pages/default.aspx (accessed 26 March 2013).  

[10]      The Hon Nicola Roxon MP, Attorney-General, and Senator the Hon Penny Wong, Minister for Finance and Deregulation, 'Clearer, simpler, stronger anti-discrimination laws', Joint Media Release, 20 November 2012, http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/132822/20130204-0704/www.attorneygeneral.gov.au/Media-releases/Pages/2012/Fourth%20Quarter/20November2012-Clearersimplerstrongerantidiscriminationlaws.html (accessed 25 March 2013).

[11]      Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee, Exposure Draft of the Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Bill 2012, 21 February 2013.

[12]      Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee, Exposure Draft of the Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Bill 2012, 21 February 2013, pp ix-x and 99.

[13]      Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee, Exposure Draft of the Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Bill 2012, 21 February 2013, p. 85.

[14]      Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee, Exposure Draft of the Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Bill 2012, 21 February 2013, p. 86.

[15]      The Hon Mark Dreyfus QC MP, Attorney-General, and Senator the Hon Penny Wong, Minister for Finance and Deregulation, 'New anti-discrimination laws to cover sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex status', Media Release, 20 March 2013, http://www.attorneygeneral.gov.au/Mediareleases/Pages/2013/First%20quarter/20March2013-Newantidiscriminationlawstocoversexualorientationgenderidentityandintersexstatus.aspx (accessed 26 March 2013).

[16]      The Hon Mark Dreyfus QC MP, House of Representatives Hansard, 21 March 2013, p. 2893.

[17]      The Hon Mark Dreyfus QC MP, Attorney-General, and Senator the Hon Penny Wong, Minister for Finance and Deregulation, 'New anti-discrimination laws to cover sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex status', Media Release, 20 March 2013.

[18]      Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs, Effectiveness of the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 in eliminating discrimination and promoting gender equality, December 2008, pp xiii-xviii.

[19]      Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee, Sex and Age Discrimination Legislation Amendment Bill 2010, March 2011, p. 1.

[20]      Government Response, Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs, Effectiveness of the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 in eliminating discrimination and promoting gender equality, May 2010, p. 1.

[21]      A submission was categorised as a form letter where it contained a specific, or easily identifiable, template of words. A submission was included as a variation to a particular form letter where the template of words was modified but could still be identified as having derived from a form letter, or where the template was supplemented with additional material.

CHAPTER 2 - KEY PROVISIONS OF THE BILL

[1]        EM, p. 12.

[2]        EM, p. 12.

[3]        EM, p. 12.

[4]        EM, p. 13.

[5]        EM, p. 14.

[6]        EM, p. 13.

[7]        Sex Discrimination Act 1984, sections 28A-28L.

[8]        EM, pp 14, 15 and 16.

[9]        These are: proposed new subsection 5A(1) in relation to sexual orientation; proposed new subsection 5B(1) in relation to gender identity; and proposed new subsection 5C(1) in relation to intersex status. This construction is used throughout the Sex Discrimination Act, and is known as the 'comparator test' because it involves comparing the treatment of the aggrieved person with that of others who lack their protected attribute. See: Attorney‑General's Department, Consolidation of Commonwealth Anti-Discrimination Laws: Discussion Paper, September 2011, p. 10.

[10]      EM, pp 14, 15 and 16.

[11]      See: proposed new subsection 5A(2) in relation to sexual orientation; proposed new subsection 5B(2) in relation to gender identity; and proposed new subsection 5C(2) in relation to intersex status.

[12]      Sex Discrimination Act 1984, sections 14-26 and 28B-28L.

[13]      These areas include: employment and superannuation; commission agents; contract workers; partnerships; qualifying bodies; registered organisations under the Fair Work Act 2009; and employment agencies.

[14]      Item 35 of Schedule 1 (proposed new subsections 21(1)-(2)).

[15]      Item 37 of Schedule 1 (proposed new subsection 22(1)).

[16]      Items 38-39 of Schedule 1(proposed new subsections 23(1)-(2) and proposed new paragraph 23(3)(c)).

[17]      Item 40 of Schedule 1 (proposed new subsection 24(1)).

[18]      Item 41 of Schedule 1 (proposed new subsections 25(1)-(2)).

[19]      Item 43 of Schedule 1 (proposed new subsection 26(1)).

[20]      SDA, paragraph 37(d).

[21]      EM, p. 8.

[22]      EM, p. 9.

[23]      EM, p. 21.

[24]      EM, p. 21.

[25]      EM, p. 21.

[26]      EM, pp 6 and 22.

[27]      EM, p. 22.

[28]      EM, p. 22.

[29]      House of Representatives Hansard, 30 May 2013, pp 85-86.

[30]      Sex Discrimination Amendment (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Intersex Status) Bill 2013, Proposed Government Amendments [Sheet AG264], 23 May 2013, pp 1-2, https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r5026 (accessed 31 May 2013).

[31]      The Hon Mark Dreyfus QC MP and The Hon Mark Butler MP, 'New protections for sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex people pass the house', Media Release, 30 May 2013.

[32]      Exposure Draft Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Bill 2012, subclause 33(3).

[33]      Sex Discrimination Amendment (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Intersex Status) Bill 2013, Proposed Government Amendments [Sheet AG264], 23 May 2013, pp 2-3, https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r5026 (accessed 31 May 2013)

CHAPTER 3 - KEY ISSUES

[1]        See, for example: Law Council of Australia, Submission 17, p. 4; Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC), Submission 9, p. 3; Organisation Intersex International Australia, Submission 8, p. 3; NSW Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby, Submission 29, p. 2; Equality Rights Alliance, Submission 21, p. 1; Australian Council of Trade Unions, Submission 28, p. 2; Anti‑Discrimination Board of NSW, Submission 81, p. 1.

[2]        Submission 83, p. 10.

[3]        Submission 82, p. 3.

[4]        See, for example: Dr Tiffany Jones, Submission 1, p. 8; ACT Human Rights Commission, Submission 10, p. 2; Castan Centre for Human Rights Law, Submission 12, p. 6; ACON, Submission 18, p. 1; Public Interest Law Clearing House (PILCH), Submission 25, p. 2; Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC), Submission 50, p. 10; Transgender Victoria, Submission 27, p. 1; National LGBTI Health Alliance, Submission 76, p. 1.

[5]        Submission 9, p. 5.

[6]        Submission 29, p. 5.

[7]        Submission 8, p. 3.

[8]        See, for example: Equal Rights Trust, Submission 7, p. 6; ACT Human Rights Commission, Submission 10, p. 5; Anti-Discrimination Commissioner of Tasmania, Submission 49, pp 7-8.

[9]        See, for example: Equal Rights Trust, Submission 7, pp 6-7; Victorian Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby, Submission 83, pp 16-17.

[10]      Human Rights Law Centre, Submission 70, p. 15.

[11]      See, for example: Australian Human Rights Commission, Submission 9, p. 10; Australian Council of Trade Unions, Submission 28, p. 3, NSW Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby, Submission 29, p. 9.

[12]      EM, pp 14, 15 and 16.

[13]      Responses to questions on notice provided by the Attorney-General's Department on 21 May 2013, p. 2.

[14]      Responses to questions on notice provided by the Attorney-General's Department on 21 May 2013, pp 2 and 3.

[15]      See, for example: Professor Margaret Thornton, Submission 6, pp 1-2; Equal Rights Trust, Submission 7, p. 8; ACT Human Rights Commission, Submission 10, p. 3; Castan Centre for Human Rights Law, Submission 12, pp 7-8; Rainbow Families Council, Submission 14, pp 5-6; ACON, Submission 18, pp 1-2; Kingsford Legal Centre, Submission 19, [p. 6]; The AIDS Council of South Australia, Submission 23, pp 9 and 11; PILCH, Submission 25, pp 3-4; National Association of Community Legal Centres, Submission 82, p. 8; Human Rights Law Centre, Submission 70, pp 19-21; Job Watch, Submission 34, pp 7-8.

[16]      Submission 12, p. 8.

[17]      These proposed changes included: limiting the exemptions for organisations delivering services to the public; adopting more limited religious exemptions in line with those found in some state anti-discrimination laws; and introducing a requirement for religious organisations to provide public notification of their intention to utilise religious exemptions. See, for example: Ms Anne Hewitt and Dr Laura Grenfell, Adelaide Law School, Submission 4, p. 4; ACON, Submission 18, pp 1-2; National LGBTI Health Alliance, Submission 76, p. 2.

[18]      These proposed changes included introducing a broader protection for individuals undertaking activities in accordance with their religious beliefs or principles. See, for example: Freedom 4 Faith, Submission 16, pp 3-5; Australian Christian Lobby, Submission 26, pp 2 and 3-5; Catholic Women's League Australia, Submission 15, [pp 3-4].

[19]      See, for example: Law Council of Australia, Submission 17, pp 29-30; Organisation Intersex International Australia, Submission 8, pp 9-10.

[20]      Submission 9, p. 7.

[21]      Submission 75, p. 3.

[22]      See, for example: Professor Margaret Thornton, Submission 6, p. 2; AHRC, Submission 9, pp 5‑6; ACT Human Rights Commission, Submission 10, p. 3; PIAC, Submission 50, pp 21-22; Law Council of Australia, Submission 17, pp 40-41; Northern Territory Anti-Discrimination Commission, Submission 20, pp 1-2;  Combined Pensioners and Superannuants Association of NSW, Submission 52, pp 3-4.

[23]      Submission 71, pp 1-2.

[24]      See, for example: COTA Australia, Submission 71, p. 2; Liberty Victoria, Submission 32, pp 3‑4; National LGBTI Health Alliance, Submission 76, pp 3-4.

[25]      See, for example: Freedom 4 Faith, Submission 16, pp 2-3; Australian Christian Lobby, Submission 26, p. 3; Catholic Women's League Australia, Submission 15, [p. 4].

[26]      Submission 81, p. 2.

[27]      Submission 27, pp 1-2.

[28]      Submission 8, p. 7. See also: Kingsford Legal Centre, Submission 19, [p. 8]; National LGBTI Health Alliance, Submission 76, p. 6; National Association of Community Legal Centres, Submission 82, pp 8-9.

[29]      Submission 8, p. 4.

[30]      Responses to questions on notice provided by the Attorney-General's Department on 21 May 2013, p. 4.

[31]      Attorney-General's Department, 'Australian Government Guidelines on the Recognition of Sex and Gender', http://www.ag.gov.au/Publications/Pages/AustralianGovernmentGuidelinesontheRecognitionofSexandGender.aspx (accessed 14 June 2013). See also: OII Australia, Submission 8, pp 8-9.

[32]      See, for example: PIAC, Submission 50, p. 12; Human Rights Law Centre, Submission 70, pp 24-25; National Association of Community Legal Centres, Submission 82, p. 9; OII Australia, Submission 8, p. 9; AHRC, Submission 9, pp 8-9; Law Council of Australia, Submission 17, p. 39; Anti-Discrimination Commission Queensland, Submission 85, p. 5.

[33]      Submission 50, p. 12.

[34]      Submission 75, pp 3-4.

[35]      Responses to questions on notice provided by the Attorney-General's Department on 21 May 2013, p. 6.

[36]      Submission 70, p. 23. See also: The Equal Rights Trust, Submission 7, p. 11; AHRC, Submission 9, pp 9-10; PIAC, Submission 50, pp 12-16.

[37]      Submission 17, pp 36-37.

[38]      Submission 75, p. 4.

[39]      Responses to questions on notice provided by the Attorney-General's Department on 21 May 2013, p. 6.

[40]      See, for example: Anti-Discrimination Commissioner of Tasmania, Submission 49, p. 15; Law Council of Australia, Submission 17, p. 44; Anti-Discrimination Commission Queensland, Submission 85, pp 3-4.

[41]      Responses to questions on notice provided by the Attorney-General's Department on 21 May 2013, p. 5.

[42]      The instruments listed are: the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women; the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights; the Convention on the Rights of the Child; and four ILO Convention (Nos. 100, 111, 156 and 158) relating to relevant employment matters.

[43]      See, for example: Law Council of Australia, Submission 17, pp 33 and 49; PIAC, Submission 50, pp 7-10; Women's Legal Services NSW, Submission 78, pp 4-5; Victorian Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby, Submission 83, p. 13.

[44]      Submission 70, pp 8-9.

[45]      Responses to questions on notice provided by the Attorney-General's Department on 21 May 2013, p. 8.

[46]      Submission 9, p. 7.

[47]      Submission 29, pp 9-10. See also: National Association of Community Legal Centres, Submission 82, p. 9; Victorian Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby, Submission 83, p. 36; Law Council of Australia, Submission 17, p. 46.

[48]      Responses to questions on notice provided by the Attorney-General's Department on 21 May 2013, p. 8.

[49]      Submission 75, p. 5.

[50]      Submission 87, p. 2.

[51]      Submission 87, p. 3 (see also discussion on p. 4).

[52]      Submission 49, pp 16-17.

[53]      Responses to questions on notice provided by the Attorney-General's Department on 21 May 2013, p. 11.

[54]      See, for example: Law Council of Australia, Submission 17, p. 45; Kingsford Legal Centre, Submission 19, [p. 6]; NSW Gay and lesbian Rights Lobby, Submission 29, pp 10-11; Human Rights Law Centre, Submission 70, pp 18-19; National Association of Community Legal Centres, Submission 82, p. 6.

[55]      Section 351 of the Fair Work Act provides protection against discrimination in matters relating to employment, on the basis of a range of protected attributes.

[56]      See, for example: Human Rights Law Centre, Submission 70, pp 18-19; Women's Legal Services NSW, Submission 78, p. 2.

[57]      Submission 17, p. 45.

[58]      Responses to questions on notice provided by the Attorney-General's Department on 21 May 2013, p. 9.

[59]      See: Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs, Effectiveness of the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 in eliminating discrimination and promoting gender equality, December 2008, p. xxiii (Recommendation 5).

[60]      Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee, Exposure Draft of the Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Bill 2012, February 2013, p. 97.

MINORITY REPORT BY COALITION SENATORS

[1]        Australian Christian Lobby, Submission 26, p. 1.

[2]        Catholic Women's League Australia, Submission 15, p. 3.

[3]        Submission 15, p. 4.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS BY THE AUSTRALIAN GREENS

[1]        See: http://www.humanrights.gov.au/sex-files-legal-recognition-concluding-paper-sex-and-gender-2009.