The Victorian
Discrimination
Law Resource is
an online resource
that draws together
a large amount of
complex information
to provide a useful
reference and
practical guide to the
law. It also provides
an overview of
significant issues that
have arisen in cases
brought under the
Equal Opportunity
Act over the past
35 years.
OUR LAWS
The Equal Opportunity Act makes it against the law to discriminate
against people on the basis of 17 protected attributes (such as sex, race,
religion, disability or sexual orientation) in eight areas of public life (such
as employment and the provision of goods and services). It also prohibits
sexual harassment and victimisation.
The Racial and Religious Tolerance Act makes it against the law to vilify
people because of their race or religion. Vilification is behaviour that
incites hatred, serious contempt, revulsion or severe ridicule of person or
group of people because of their race or religion. Serious vilification is a
criminal offence.
The Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities (the Charter) identifies
20 human rights applicable to all Victorians. These include rights many of
us take for granted, such as the right to freedom of expression; to freedom
of religious belief; the right to privacy and reputation; and the protection of
families and children. The Charter requires government and public bodies
to consider these rights when making laws and providing services.
The Commission can take complaints under the Equal Opportunity and
Racial and Religious Tolerance Acts. The Commission does not handle
complaints related to the Charter but our role is to educate people about
their rights and responsibilities and to report annually to the government
about the operation of the Charter. You can find more information about
our laws at the end of this brochure.
The Commission can undertake a range of functions under these Acts,
including:
· promoting and advancing the objectives of these Acts and
advocating for these laws
· informing and educating people about their rights and
responsibilities under these laws
· helping people resolve disputes about discrimination, sexual
harassment, victimisation, and racial and religious vilification
· undertaking voluntary reviews of programs and practices to
help people and organisations comply with the law
· undertaking research to identify, understand and find solutions
to systemic discrimination and human rights breaches
· conducting investigations to eliminate systemic discrimination
· intervening in court and tribunal proceedings that involve equal
opportunity and human rights issues
· reporting to government about the operation of the Charter,
and about the Commission's education and research
· advising government on anything relevant to the Charter or
discriminatory provisions of any Act.
OUR FUNCTIONS