Who we are and what we do Page 10

The Equal
Opportunity
Act makes it
against the law
to discriminate
against people
on the basis of
17 protected
attributes in
eight areas of
public life.

Equal Opportunity Act 2010

The Equal Opportunity Act makes it against the law to discriminate

against people on the basis of 17 protected attributes in eight areas

of public life. It also prohibits sexual harassment and victimisation.

Areas of public life

· Employment
· Goods and services
· Education
· Sport
· Accommodation
· Clubs
· Local government
· Buying and selling land.

Protected attributes

· Age
· Breastfeeding
· Disability
· Employment activity
· Gender identity
· Industrial activity
· Lawful sexual activity
· Marital status
· Parental and carer status
· Physical features
· Political belief/activity
· Pregnancy
· Race
· Religious belief/activity
· Sex
· Sexual orientation
· Personal association (whether as a relative or otherwise) with a person

who is identified by reference to any of the above attributes.

OUR LAWS