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All Territorians deserve a Fair Go
The Northern Territory Anti-Discrimination Act came into operation on 1 August 1993.
An inherent requirement of the Act is the promotion of equality of opportunity, and a "Fair Go" for all Territorians.
Public education programs, training, consultation and research are vital parts of the Commissioner's functions.
The Commissioner is required to assist both government and non-government organisations develop and implement strategies to overcome unlawful discriminatory acts and practices, and to advise the NT Government on the laws and regulations of the Territory to ensure they are consistent with the Anti-Discrimination Act.
The Commissioner will prepare and publish guidelines and codes of practice to assist people and organisations to comply with the Act. All Territorians are encouraged to contact the Commission for information and advice.
Commission staff are available to assist the community in eradicating ignorance, fear and prejudice.
The prohibited grounds of discrimination are:
a. race;
b. sex;
c. sexuality;
d. age;
e. marital status;
f. pregnancy;
g. parenthood;
h. breastfeeding;
i. impairment;
k. trade union or employer association activity;
m. religious belief or activity;
n. political opinion, affiliation or activity
p. irrelevant medical record;
q. irrelevant criminal record;
r. association with a person who has, or is believed to have, an attribute
referred to in this section.
Areas of Activities where discrimination is prohibited:
- education;
- work;
- accommodation;
- goods, services and facilities;
- clubs; and
- insurance and superannuation.
Functions of 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;
- such other functions as the Minister determines.
Section 13, Anti-Discrimination Act 1992
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For further information or advice, contact:
NT Anti-Discrimination Commission
Location
7th Floor, National Mutual Building
9-11 Cavenagh Street
Darwin NT 0800
Postal Address
LMB 22 GPO
Darwin NT 0801
General Enquiries
Telephone: (08) 8999 1444
Freecall: 1800 813 846
Fax: (08) 8981 3812
TTY: 8999 1466
Email: administrationadc@nt.gov.au
