Complaints and Resolution is a Defence People Group website.
When a complaint is received from the Australian Human Rights Commission (the Commission), CR will take action to obtain necessary information from the relevant areas within Defence in order to provide a comprehensive response on behalf of Defence.
The Racial Discrimination Act makes it unlawful to act in any way that involves a distinction, exclusion, restriction or preference based on race, colour, descent or national or ethnic origin which has the purpose or effect of nullifying or impairing the recognition, enjoyment or exercise, on an equal footing, of any human right or fundamental freedom in the political, economic, social, cultural or any other field of public life, including employment and service in the Australian Defence Force (ADF). The Act also prohibits the victimisation of a person in relation to a potential complaint or a complaint made under this Act.
The Sex Discrimination Act makes it unlawful to treat a person of the opposite sex less favourably than a person of the same sex in circumstances that are the same or are not materially different on the basis of:
In addition, this Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of marital status, pregnancy or potential pregnancy and family responsibility.
The Act provides an exemption to Defence in relation to women holding a position involving the performance of combat duties; or in prescribed circumstances in relation to combat duties.
This Act also prohibits a person from sexually harassing another person by making an unwelcome sexual advance, or an unwelcome request for sexual favours, or engaging in other unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature in circumstances in which a reasonable person, having regard to all the circumstances, would have anticipated that the person harassed would be offended, humiliated or intimidated.
The Act also prohibits the victimisation of a person in relation to a complaint made or potential complaint made under this Act.
The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Act details the structure of the Australian Human Rights Commission (the Commission) and provides the Commission with the authority to investigate any complaint of unlawful discrimination.
The Act permits the Commission to inquire into complaints of unlawful discrimination and any act or practice that may be inconsistent with or contrary to any human right, as defined in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, the Declaration on the Rights of Mentally Retarded Persons, and the Declaration on the Rights of Disabled Persons.
The Act also prohibits victimisation in relation to a potential complaint or a complaint made to the Commission, including complaints made pursuant to other legislation administered by the Commission.
The Disability Discrimination Act prohibits discrimination or harassment based on physical, mental, intellectual or psychiatric disability, disease, disorder or illness in relation to employment (including service in the ADF). The Act also prohibits the victimisation of a person in relation to a potential complaint or a complaint made under this Act.
The Act contains specific exemptions for the ADF in relation to performance of combat duties, combat-related duties or peacekeeping service.
The Age Discrimination Act prohibits less favourable treatment, either directly or indirectly because of age, characteristics generally pertaining to age, or characteristics generally imputed to people of that age. The Act also prohibits the victimisation of a person in relation to a potential complaint or a complaint made under the Act. The Act exempts a number of laws that relate to Defence from its application.
The Commission must attempt to settle complaints by conciliation. A conciliation conference provides the applicant and Defence (and other respondents) the chance to talk about the issues raised in the complaint and look for solutions. Unless the complaint is terminated, or the complainant withdraws the complaint, the Commission will usually arrange a conciliation conference in an attempt to resolve the matter. The Commission may compel attendance at a conciliation conference. The conciliation process is flexible and complaints may be settled by an exchange of letters, telephone negotiation through the Conciliation Officer or by a telephone conciliation conference.
The following people usually attend a conciliation conference:
During conciliation conferences, the parties may agree to settle the complaint. This will not occur in all cases that go to conciliation. The nature of any settlement will vary depending on the complaint, but they may include:
If the complaint is made under Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Act and is not resolved following the conciliation conference, the Commission may make a finding that the Act has been breached. In these circumstances, the President of the Commission must report on their findings to the Attorney-General who will present the report to Parliament.
Under legislation administered by the Commission, Defence, like all employers, may be held responsible for a breach of the Acts by Defence personnel unless:
Where individuals have been named as respondents and Defence is of the view that it will not be vicariously liable, respondents may wish to seek independent legal advice, as a claim for financial compensation may be made against them personally. In some cases, Defence and individual respondents will be found liable and responsible for paying financial compensation.
Access to Defence or Commonwealth funded legal representation is not an automatic right. The granting of assistance is discretionary and each case will be decided on its merits and no assumption should be made that an application will be approved.
The availability of legal representation is different for ADF members and APS employees.
Further details on the legislation can be obtained from the Commission's web site; or call 1800 DEFENCE (1800 333 362).
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