ADC Annual Report 1999/2000

Functions of the Commissioner

The Commissioner has the following functions:

to carry out investigations and hearings into complaints and endeavour to effect conciliation;
to examine Acts and regulations and proposed Acts and regulations of the Territory to determine whether they are, or would be, inconsistent with the purposes of this Act, and to report the results of such examinations to the Minister;
to institute, promote or assist in research, the collection of data and the dissemination of information relating to discrimination and the effects of discrimination;
to consult with organisations, departments and local government and community government bodies and associations to ascertain means of improving services and conditions affecting groups that are subjected to prohibited conduct;
to research and develop additional grounds of discrimination and to make recommendations for the inclusion of such grounds in this Act;
to examine practices, alleged practices or proposed practices of a person, at the Commissioner's own initiative or when required by the Minister, to determine whether they are, or would be, inconsistent with the purposes of this Act, and, when required by the Minister, to report the results of the examination to the Minister;
to promote in the Territory an understanding and acceptance, and public discussion, of the purposes and principles of equal opportunity;
to promote an understanding and acceptance of, and compliance with, this Act;
to promote the recognition and acceptance of non-discriminatory attitudes, acts and practices;
to promote within the public sector the development of equal opportunity management programs;
to prepare and publish guidelines and codes of practice to assist persons to comply with this Act;
to provide advice and assistance to persons relating to this Act as the Commissioner thinks fit;
to advise the Minister generally on the operation of this Act;
if the Commissioner considers it appropriate to do so, to intervene in a proceeding that involves issues of equality of opportunity or discrimination with the leave of the court hearing the proceeding and subject to any conditions imposed by the court;
such functions as are conferred on the Commissioner by or under this or any other Act; and
such other functions as the Minister determines.

.......s.13 Anti-Discrimination Act 1992

Some of the Strategies

Factsheets are produced and distributed in:
- Tagalog
- Vietnamese
- Portuguese
- Indonesian
- Mandarin
- Japanese
- Thai
- large type for the visually impaired.
"Talking tapes" on the Factsheets and the Act are available.
There is liaison with Aboriginal Land Councils and Community Government Councils.
Publications are distributed through peak Aboriginal groups, Chamber of Commerce and Industry, libraries, local government bodies, schools, Office of Ethnic Affairs, Alice Springs Migrant Resource Centre, Ethnic Communities Council and voluntary organisations.
Training material targeting Aboriginal people in remote communities on "rights" and "responsibilities" has been produced in the most common Aboriginal languages.
There are regular regional visits.
Information on the Commission is available at the electorate offices of all members of the Legislative Assembly.
The Legal Aid and Advocacy Services throughout the Territory receive information and briefings from the Commissioner and her staff.
The Commission toll free telephone 1800 813 846 is widely advertised.
A TTY service is available.
Making the Commission more accessible through developing Information Technology.
Development of proactive workplace training strategies to reflect the number of work place complaints.