Back to Listening Tour Report index page

Listening Tour Report A report of the Listening Tour consultations in
2007-08

 

6 Issues raised outside the themes

• 6.1 What is this chapter about?
• 6.2 Age discrimination
• 6.3 Migrant and refugee women
• 6.4 Indigenous health
• 6.5 Northern Territory Intervention
• 6.6 Women in Prison
• 6.7 Women's health
• 6.8 Men's health
• 6.9 Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender issues

---

6.1 What is this chapter about?

6.2 Age discrimination

6.2.1 What we heard

Many older participants in the Listening Tour raised age discrimination as a barrier
to full and equal participation in the workplace and other aspects of life. For
example, some participants spoke about the discriminatory attitudes they encountered in
finding work. 485 Others recounted the barriers faced by older
people in areas of life such as accessing public spaces and being awarded driver's
licences. 486

Age discrimination impacts on the ability of mature age workers to find and
retain work

Older participants in the Listening Tour informed the Commissioner that ageist
assumptions and attitudes impacted heavily on the ability of older people to find
meaningful work.

One woman gave the example of her experience of differential treatment in applying
for a teaching position:

The interviewer was worried that I might not be able to handle some of the students
swearing at me. I could have been offended by his assumption but I chose not to be. 487

Others said that many recruiters wrongly assume that older people automatically
expect to be working in a senior role and this hampers their success in finding work. 488

A contributor to the blog recounted his difficulties in finding part time work as a
man over 50, an example of the combined impact of gender and age assumptions on job
seekers:

As a male over 50 it has been next to impossible for me ... to
find part time work. Many employers appear to actively discriminate against males - for
some reason males seeking part time work are considered "suspect" in some way. How
about legislation that allows rights to part time work and improved transition
arrangements to retirement? 489

The Aged Care Commissioner, Rhonda Parker, reported that for many years she has had
people approaching her about the barriers in the workplace for older people,
particularly those trying to re-enter the paid workforce. She said that many of these
barriers have been and will continue to be addressed through the skills shortage in the
market. 490

The Council of The Ageing (COTA) in Queensland wrote to the Commissioner
highlighting the specific needs of older people in the workplace. They argued that a
range of flexible work options should be available to older people to facilitate their
participation in the labour market. They suggested that phased retirement should be an
option too. 491

Older people face barriers to full participation in many aspects of
life

Older focus group participants identified a range of other barriers preventing their
full participation in various aspects of life. These included: public transport not
being linked to key public buildings and services, requiring people who are less mobile
to walk long distances; and barriers in public infrastructure such as not having chairs
in airports for people to be able to sit down when taking off shoes to go through
security. 492

A few people expressed their concerns to the Commissioner about recent legislative
changes introduced by state governments targeting older drivers. These changes require
drivers over 85 to sit new license tests and other checks before their licenses are
renewed. In Melbourne, one participant reported that many elderly people are having
their licenses revoked, leading to decreased independence and greater social exclusion. 493

In the Perth community consultation one man raised his frustration about the new
requirements in Western Australia for older drivers to sit new tests and go through
various levels of bureaucracy to retain their license:

I obtained my driving license on the day I turned 18 years of age and was allowed by
legislation to continue to drive for a further 67 years without being required to pass
a driving test. Suddenly at 85, it is mandatory that I have a driving test as well as a
health check. I have spoken to a number of other 85 year old drivers and have found
that my experience of discrimination when I reached the age of 85 is typical. 494

6.2.2 Policy and project ideas

The following policy and project ideas were suggested by participants in the
Listening Tour.

1. The exemptions under the Age Discrimination Act 2004 (Cth) should be
   removed. 495
2. There should be more awareness raising and public education campaigns to inform
   people about their options if they experience age discrimination. 496
3. Flexible work arrangements should be made available to mature age workers to
   enable phased retirement. 497
4. Access to training and support services for unemployed and underemployed people
   over 45 should be increased. 498
5. Governments should improve public infrastructure and transport so that they take into account the needs of people who are less mobile. 499
6. HREOC should ensure that its information is accessible to older people, taking
   into consideration that many older people do not use the internet.
   500
7. There should be a focus on addressing age discrimination against young people in
   employment. 501
8. Governments should introduce a system of random testing for drivers of all ages,
   including those over 85, rather than just targeting all drivers over 85.
   502
9. People over the age of 50 should get tax relief for any employment related
   training including university education. 503
10. People over 75 should have free public transport and free taxis.
    504
11. There should be a greater focus on research around the abuse of older people and
    strategies to reduce such abuse. 505
12. HREOC should develop an education campaign to support the implementation of the Age Discrimination Act 2004 (Cth). 506
13. The Age Discrimination Act 2004 (Cth) should be reviewed by 2009. 507

6.3 Migrant and refugee women

6.3.1 What we heard

Migrant and refugee women informed the Commissioner of their specific issues arising
from their settlement in Australia. The primary issues raised include a lack of
cultural understanding from government agencies and difficulties for refugees in
negotiating cultural difference.

Refugees need cultural understanding from service providers and government
agencies

One woman spoke of her difficulties in negotiating cultural differences,
particularly around dealing with Australian authorities:

We have our own culture. With the teenagers, we have our way to talk with them, and
to handle any situation. The Police just say you are wrong. When the police comes, it
is very wrong to say to me that I am wrong in front of my child. My 14 year old girl
wanted to go out. She had an argument with her brother, and he was tough with her. The
police said this is wrong. They took us to the court. They said that I said that in my
culture we are able to hit our kids. Then, the girl did go out and ended up using
drugs, and leaving the school, and the police were wrong. We came to Australia to save
our kids but we lost them. 508

Another participant told us that a doctor had reversed a woman's genital mutilation
without her consent, when she had gone to see the doctor for another reason. She said
that this was a basic denial of rights commenting that, "We [have] lost the rights to
our own bodies". 509

6.4 Indigenous health

6.4.1 What we heard

Indigenous participants in the Listening Tour identified health as a primary area of
concern. The main matters raised included specific health issues and access to
healthcare.

There are significant health issues specific to Indigenous
people

Staff at a community health service informed the Commissioner of the specific health
concerns for Indigenous people in Fitzroy Crossing. Alcohol and drug use was noted as
key health problem. It was estimated that up to 30 per cent of babies born in the
region have Foetal Alcohol Syndrome. 510

Nutrition was also a cited as an issue requiring urgent attention in Fitzroy
Crossing, with diabetes becoming prevalent amongst a significant portion of the
population. Availability and affordability of healthy food is also a key problem in
remote communities. The community health service reported that some seven year olds
already have Type Two Diabetes. 511

Environmental health has been identified as a significant problem in Fitzroy
Crossing, exacerbated by poor living conditions and overcrowded housing. Environmental
health concerns include the lack of healthy housing, pest control, rubbish and waste
removal, sewage and poor dog health. 512

Access to health care is an issue for Indigenous people

Access to health care for Indigenous communities was raised in consultations in
Western Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory. Problems of access relate to
both cultural barriers and physical distance.

For example, in Fitzroy Crossing in Western Australia, community members had
experienced racism at the local hospital. A community based health service was
established in response to ongoing experiences of racism, and to work in partnership
with the hospital to ensure that health services are delivered appropriately to the
community. 513 In Mackay, community elders reported that there
was no Indigenous- specific nursing home so Indigenous elders have to go to mainstream
homes where there is minimal, if any, understanding of their culture.
514

In north-east Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory, a service provider raised the
problem of physical access to a hospital. The nearest hospital can be up to three hours
drive from some communities. There is a service available for patient transport for
those who are more than 200 kilometres away from a hospital, however there are still
problems with access for those who are less than 200 kilometres away and have no
available transport. 515

6.4.2 Research and literature

The following research projects were brought to the attention of the Commissioner
during the Listening Tour.

Foetal Alcohol Syndrome

Janet Hamill, a research fellow at the Centre for Indigenous Health at the
University of Queensland is examining foetal alcohol syndrome. In a meeting with the
Commissioner, she provided an outline of international efforts to prevent and manage
foetal alcohol syndrome with particular reference to programs in Canada targeted to
Indigenous populations. She also shared a number of personal stories of children who
were living with foetal alcohol syndrome, highlighting the everyday impact of the
disorder. One of the key problems is that service providers often treat the behavioural
problems of the disorder without correctly diagnosing it as foetal alcohol syndrome.
Janet said that there needed to be a greater emphasis on prevention of foetal alcohol
syndrome in Australia, with a focus on providing services with the skills to identify
and diagnose it. 516

6.5 Northern Territory Intervention

6.5.1 What we heard

The Northern Territory Emergency Response, known as the 'Intervention', was a chief
topic of discussion during the Northern Territory Listening Tour. The Commissioner
heard about various elements of the Intervention, including the impacts of the alcohol
management system, the income management system and the closure of the Community
Development Employment Projects (CDEP).

Alcohol management systems work best when they are driven by the
community

There were conflicting views about the liquor bans imposed as part of the
Intervention. The Commissioner heard that alcohol management was not working in Darwin
town camp communities. These prescribed communities are declared 'dry areas' with a
sign at the entrance but this does not prevent people bringing alcohol into the
community. Larrakia Nation, an Indigenous service provider, reported that there is a
great demand for sobering up treatments as a result of the liquor bans with a waitlist
of 50 people needing services. 517

In north-east Arnhem Land, the local Indigenous community and remote homeland
communities have lobbied for a permit system for the purchase of takeaway alcohol.
Permits are awarded through a local committee made up of local authorities and
community representatives. Permits are generally available to all community members,
but are withdrawn if there is an alcohol-related incident. This system has been
effective in reducing alcohol-related violence on the streets. At their own request,
homeland community members are not eligible for permits, given that the homeland
communities are 'dry' communities. 518

Centrelink income management is placing additional burdens on individuals
and communities

The Commissioner heard about implementation problems associated with the
quarantining of a certain portion of an individual's Centrelink income as supermarket
vouchers. Darwin Listening Tour participants shared their stories of older people and
women with children walking long distances in the searing heat to get their store
vouchers, then either walking or needing to take a taxi to the store and a taxi home
with heavy bags. People may have pooled money previously to save on transport costs and
to share resources but income management does not allow for this, thereby increasing
transport costs for individuals. 519

In Arnhem Land where the income management system was yet to be introduced,
community members were anxious about its impact. They reported that a shopping trip to
the local chain supermarket could cost up to $1400 because of a two to three hour taxi
ride. If individuals have to shop for themselves this will add a significant financial
burden for them. 520

Another issue raised was the difficulty for community stores to become accredited as
part of the income management scheme. Accreditation places an extra administrative
burden on stores so the bigger chains are more likely to be accredited. 521 For example, the Bagot community store has been denied a license
because it does not have fresh food. The store owners are concerned about putting a lot
of money into the store in order to get a license when they are not guaranteed a
license. 522 Listening Tour participants also reported
experiencing racism and harassment when using their vouchers to buy food in the big
chain supermarkets. 523

There is a need for training and education following the closure of CDEP
programs

The closure of the CDEP program was also raised repeatedly as a concern for
Indigenous people in the Northern Territory. In Darwin, Listening Tour participants
reported that people are bored and have nothing to do, as there are no real options for
training and development to assist with finding other work. 524

In north-east Arnhem Land, the work to address environmental health issues has not
progressed since the CDEP program was cancelled which is having a detrimental impact on
the health of the communities. The lack of funding for training or education programs
was also noted as a problem in this region. 525

Others reported that CDEP gave community members something to do every day and it
was good at motivating people to work and keeping the community clean. In one town camp
community, Listening Tour participants reported that since the closure of CDEP the
grass has grown very long because there is nobody to cut it, creating an unsafe
environment. 526

6.5.2 Policy and project ideas

The following policy and project ideas were suggested by participants in the
Listening Tour.

1. The Northern Territory Intervention should be reviewed. In particular, the
   quarantining of income should be reviewed to address the implementation
   problems.
2. There should be legislation to protect older people in the community similar to
   child protection legislation. This should put the onus on young people to respect and
   care for old people. 527

6.6 Women in Prison

6.6.1 What we heard

Sisters Inside, a Brisbane based community organisation which advocates for the
human rights of women in the criminal justice system, informed the Commissioner about
the key issues faced by women in the criminal justice system. These issues include:
systemic discrimination against women prisoners, particularly Indigenous women and
those with mental illness; limited availability of support for women while
incarcerated; and the lack of support for women upon release from prison. 528

Some women experience systemic discrimination in prison

Sisters Inside reported that women with mental illness, Indigenous and culturally
and linguistically diverse women, are subject to systemic discrimination within the
prison system. This is largely because of the risk assessment tool that is used within
prisons to determine the classification of prisoners. If someone is Indigenous or has
been sexually abused they are considered a greater security risk and therefore
classified differently. Sisters Inside commented that there are no programs in place to
address the risk other than the classification system. 529

There is limited support for women while they are incarcerated

Over the last few years a number of the services provided by Sisters Inside have
been banned within prisons. Sisters Inside reported that women prisoners were provided
with limited support around mental health issues, education and training during
incarceration. They are also not supported to maintain close relationships with their
children. Sisters Inside currently runs a program working with children in care while
their mothers are in prison.

Sisters Inside commented that the lack of access to prisons for their organisation
is problematic because it reduces their ability to keep prisons accountable to human
rights standards. Currently, they obtain information about prison conditions through
phone conversations with prisoners, through their families or when they are
released.

There is a lack of adequate support for women upon release from
prison

The minimal assistance provided to women upon release from prison was highlighted as
a barrier to the effective reintegration into the community. For example, Sisters
Inside reported that women leave prison without any cash and are then required to get
to Centrelink to make a claim for a crisis payment. Prisons make no arrangements for
transport to the nearest Centrelink to claim this payment. Given the isolated location
of most correctional facilities, many women become homeless or sleep in public places
when they are first released. One service that brokered accommodation for released
women has just been defunded. 530

Women often have no personal possessions when they leave prison because many women
have no family to take their possessions such as furniture and clothing when they enter
prison. Many support services turn released women away because they are experiencing
complex mental health issues and high levels of poverty. 531

6.6.2 Research and literature

The following research projects were brought to the attention of the Commissioner
during the Listening Tour.

Human rights and correctional facilities

This audit by the ACTHuman Rights Commission presents a snapshot of the treatment of
detainees at the ACT's current remand centres, assessing the current legal framework,
policies and procedures using international human rights benchmarks. The report
identifies systemic discrimination against women inmates because of the transportation
of women to particular centres for weekends which have fewer facilities This results in
three additional strip-searches; missed meals, late breakfasts; disrupted visits;
problems receiving medication; loss of the minimal opportunities for work that exist at
the remand centres during the week and the general stress of having to move
accommodation every three to five days. 532

6.6.3 Policy and project ideas

The following policy and project ideas were suggested by participants in the
Listening Tour.

1. HREOC should produce a report on State Government responses to the 2006
   Anti-Discrimination Commission Queensland report, Women in Prison. 533
2. Support services for women in prison should be improved to address the underlying
   problems that have led to their crimes and imprisonment. 534
3. There should be a national study to accurately determine the scope of Indigenous
   women's need for legal aid services and their access to justice. 535

6.7 Women's health

6.7.1 What we heard

A number of participants pointed to several women's health issues as requiring
public attention, including reproductive and sexual health, access to health services,
and the health impact of long term violence.

Women's access to reproductive and sexual health services needs to be
increased

Women's Health NSW, a peak body for women's community health centres, highlighted
the specific social, cultural and economic factors that impact upon women's health. The
organisation told the Commissioner that women are likely to have poorer health outcomes
than men because of the higher social and economic disadvantage that women experience.
In recent times, reproductive rights have been a strong focus for the organisation,
particularly around the availability of the contraceptive pill and the availability and
cost of termination services. Women's Health NSW said that they had heard of an
increasing number of women who can't afford terminations and cited an example of a
woman in a rural area hitchhiking to access the 'morning after' pill. 536

One contributor to the Listening Tour blog expressed concern about the cost of
terminations and the involvement of religious organisations in providing services:

One thing HREOC should make some statements on is the right to abortion - it is
disturbing that the cost is quite high and that many abortion counselling services are
run by religious groups and so they try to push those ideas on the rest of us, with
little or no rationality to support them. 537

ACON, formerly known as AIDS Council of NSW, brought attention to the rise in
HIV/AIDS amongst minority groups, particularly Indigenous women and women from
culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. In a submission to the Commissioner,
ACON highlighted discrimination as a barrier to accessing services for these groups of
women:

These communities already face high levels of stigma and discrimination. When this
is compounded with HIV [positive] status, women and families encounter further barriers
to accessing adequate healthcare and social support. 538

In Fitzroy Crossing in Western Australia, the local community health centre said
that there was previously very little information available to the community about
sexual health and contraception. Sexually transmissible infections amongst women have
been identified as a priority issue in this region. The health centre introduced
"condom trees", where condoms and information are placed in trees, as a way of
providing people with information about safe sex which has been successful in
decreasing the level of sexually transmissible infections in the area. 539

There needs to be a focus on the rights of women who give birth

A few Listening Tour participants expressed concern about the lack of choice
afforded to mothers after having given birth. One participant told the Commissioner
that some women experience post traumatic stress disorder after birth because they are
not provided with opportunities to make informed choices in supportive environments. 540

Janet, a contributor to the blog urged government to pay attention to the
experiences of women who give birth:

We need someone to listen...to what is being done to birthing
women in this country. Hospitals are leaving women shell-shocked, scarred in [their]
body and mind. Women are denied basic human rights to autonomy, bodily integrity and
the right to decide what happens in their pregnancies, births and beyond. Babies and
mothers are routinely subjected to interventions with no basis in evidence and the
rising rates of surgery are simply an indication of how frequently this occurs. Women
need to control their own reproductive experiences whether that is the decision to
choose parenthood, or not, but also what happens to us in hospitals. 541

6.7.2 Policy and project ideas

The following policy and project ideas were suggested by participants in the
Listening Tour.

1. Reproductive rights should be enjoyed by all Australians, and relevant education
   and services should be made accessible to all. 542
2. Independent midwives should be provided with Medicare numbers and the right to
   insurance as care providers for pregnant women. 543

6.8 Men's health

6.8.1 What we heard

The need for a specific and well funded men's health policy was raised by men's
advocates and service providers. 544 Some groups were also
concerned that men were more likely to experience injury at work because they are
employed under conditions that have high levels of health and safety risk.

Men are reluctant to seek assistance for health problems and need specific
services

Listening Tour participants told the Commissioner that men were often reluctant to
seek assistance for health problems and this resulted in poor health outcomes for them. 545 They also raised concerns about the lack of public focus
and spending in the area of men's health. 546

A participant in the Adelaide community consultation brought the Commissioner's
attention to the higher suicide rates for men and suggested the need for specific men's
health services:

It seems that men need a lot of help...[W]e have to do something
about this...[There are] no health centres for
men...[W]e have them for women...[There is]
absolutely nothing for men. [In relation to male suicide] we can't afford to have this
wastage of young males...one of things we can do is put in some
health centres...with male counsellors as well. 547

A participant who works with men highlighted men's reluctance to come forward with
health problems and the need for men's shelters:

There is a lack of services for men. I work with drug addicts who have been abused
by females and have been raped in prison. There are no services [for these men]. Men
don't come forward with their problems but women do. They need emergency shelters. 548

Men's reluctance to speak about their own health was highlighted in a men's focus
group. The Commissioner asked male participants whether improving their health was a
driving factor for adopting flexible work practices. There were no real responses to
this question apart from one participant who replied, 'We don't think about those
things', reinforcing the point that men do not tend to give adequate consideration to
their own health. 549

The absence of specific men's services has also been identified as a contributing
factor to violence in Indigenous communities. Women in Fitzroy Crossing have identified
the need for a specific men's health and wellbeing initiative as a strategy to increase
community cohesion and women's safety. They have lobbied for a men's shed to provide
services to men which is expected to be developed in the coming months. 550

A men's health service provider explained the need for a national men's health
policy to have a strong focus on access to healthcare:

It's more around risk factors and how to reduce those in men, how to provide greater
access to men, for men's health. So they can access the system, they can have
information that is gender specific, that they can have information in settings they'll
[already] be rather than getting them to go to places ...where they
don't feel comfortable. They go to the GP and find New Idea for the last three
years on the table. It's not a conducive environment. 551

Men are more likely to experience work-related injuries

Some groups and individuals argued that industries which have high occupational
health and safety risks tend to be male dominated, which puts men in these industries
at higher risks of disability and mortality. 552

In a submission to the Commissioner, some men's advocates highlighted the higher
representation of men in work-related deaths:

The vast majority of work-related deaths are of males ... 541 males
per annum (90.5 per cent of working and commuting deaths) as [compared to] 57 females
(9.5 per cent of working and commuting deaths). 553

A contributor to the blog also pointed to men's vulnerability to work related
injuries and death describing it as an equity issue:

[Men] make up around 85 per cent of work-related deaths. Perhaps this is in part due
to the fact men [that men are] employed in the most hazardous and dangerous jobs in
this country - the "death professions". This is both unequal and inequitable. 554

6.8.2 Policy and project ideas

The following policy and project ideas were suggested by participants in the
Listening Tour.

1. There should be a national men's health policy and specific funding allocated to
   the area of men's health for research and policy development. 555
2. Specific men's health services should be funded. 556
3. Local men's health action groups should be established, comprised of relevant
   service providers. 557

6.9 Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender
issues

6.9.1 What we heard

Some service providers and individuals brought the Commissioner's attention to
specific issues for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) people. These
included: discrimination against same-sex couples in the law; high levels of prejudice
and violence against GLBT people; and the impact of this discrimination, prejudice and
violence on the health and well being of GLBT people.

Legal and social inequality is a major concern for GLBT people

A number of Listening Tour participants put forward legal inequality and the lack of
relationship recognition as a chief concern for people in same-sex relationships. 558 In a submission to the Commissioner, ACON argued that legal
inequality meant that women in same-sex relationships are financially disadvantaged in
a range of areas such as workplace and health entitlements. At a broader level, legal
inequality sends a strong message that same sex relationships are less valuable,
thereby encouraging discrimination and prejudice. ACON presented the story of two
lesbian parents to highlight the impact of legal inequality on families:

My partner and I have a daughter together, yet she cannot claim us as dependents.
She cannot be included on our Medicare card and thus we don't qualify for the family
Medicare safety net. She cannot get carers' leave should one or both of us fall ill. If
I died tomorrow she would not automatically receive my superannuation. She cannot sign
off on medical treatment for our daughter or even write her a sick note for school. I
am sick of being treated like a second-class citizen in my own country, and do not wish
to see my daughter grow up as one. 559

A lesbian co-mother in a focus group informed the Commissioner about her
difficulties in being recognised as a legitimate parent for her daughter:

I have been raising the children since they were 6 and 10. Yet, I have no rights at
all. If something happened to [my partner], those children would be taken off me. Our
daughter had to have her cervical cancer vaccination, and [my partner] couldn't do it
because she was away. We turned up at the health centre. The woman asked for my form
about being [my daughter's] guardian, and when I couldn't produce it, we got turned
away. 560

ACON also noted violence and harassment as key issues for lesbians, with lesbians
being six times as likely to experience violence compared to heterosexual women. 561 The story of a lesbian couple who experienced violence in
response to showing public affection was provided as an example:

My same-sex partner and I were assaulted in Adelaide airport in 2005. We were saying
goodbye to each other, in the customary manner of our heterosexual peers, by holding
hands and kissing. A passerby chose to hit me, hard, in the back of the head. As you
can imagine, my girlfriend and I were both extremely shocked and upset by this
incident. This type of violent outburst would rarely be borne by heterosexual couples
under the same set of circumstances. Until same-sex couples are viewed and treated as
equals to their heterosexual peers in our community, this type of discrimination will
continue. 562

Discrimination in the workplace was also noted as an issue for lesbians. A lesbian
focus group participant remarked upon her experience of being passed over for a
promotion due to her sexuality:

I was told that I was a bit radical for the board. I was pitching for the CEO
position. There has been an entire board meeting looking at whether I would be
suitable. I was told that ... because I would need to be in the
public arena, I would not be suitable. My sexuality was openly discussed, and I was
told that this made me unsuitable. 563

A representative from the transgender advocacy organisation Changeling Aspects,
wrote to the Commissioner outlining problems for transgender people with identity and
official documentation, particularly due to the consistency between states, territories
and federal law. She said that difficulty in obtaining official documents with a
transgender person's nominated gender recognised often led to discrimination from
services and government agencies. 564

Discrimination and violence has adverse impacts for GLBT people

A GLBT youth organisation from Tasmania highlighted the health impact of violence
and discrimination for GLBT young people. They said that GLBT youth are more likely to
have mental health issues, compared to the general youth population which can be
attributed to high levels of marginalisation, discrimination, harassment and abuse
based on their sexuality and gender identity. 565 This view was
also supported by ACON in their submission. 566

6.9.2 Policy and project ideas

The following policy and project ideas were suggested by participants in the
Listening Tour.

1. Same sex couples and heterosexual couples should be treated equally before the
   law. 567
2. Sexuality should be included as a question for all government research and data
   collection to provide disaggregated data on same sex attracted women. 568
3. Services should be reviewed to ensure that culturally appropriate and accessible
   services are being delivered to meet the needs of GLBT young people. 569
4. A range of programs and services for young people in high schools should be
   introduced to assist people coming out and to challenge homophobic discrimination,
   harassment and violence. 570
5. There should be an inquiry into the human rights of transgender people in
   Australia, similar to the one conducted by the New Zealand Human Rights Commission. 571

^top

---

[485]Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission,
'Mixed older people's focus group' (2008)

[486]Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission,
'Melbourne Community Consultation' (2008)

[487]Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission,
'Mixed older people's focus group' (2008)

[488]Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission,
'Mixed older people's focus group' (2008)

[489]Andrew, Blog entry (2007) Human Rights and
Equal Opportunity Commission Listening Tour website at 6 December 2007

[490]Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission,
'Meeting with the Aged Care Commissioner, Rhonda Parker' (2008)

[491]Email from Council on the Ageing Queensland to
Elizabeth Broderick, 18 April 2008.

[492]Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission,
'Older people's focus group' (2008)

[493]Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission,
'Melbourne Community Consultation' (2008)

[494]George Goldie, 'Submission to Perth Community
Consultation: Discrimination against Over 85 Motor Vehicle Drivers' (2008)

[495]Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission,
'Older people's focus group' (2008)

[496]Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission,
'Older people's focus group' (2008)

[497]Email from Council on the Ageing Queensland to
Elizabeth Broderick, 18 April 2008.

[498]Email from Council on the Ageing Queensland to
Elizabeth Broderick, 18 April 2008.

[499]Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission,
'Mixed older people's focus group' (2008)

[500]Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission,
'Melbourne Community Consultation' (2008)

[501]Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission,
'Melbourne Community Consultation' (2008)

[502]George Goldie, 'Submission to Perth Community
Consultation: Discrimination against Over 85 Motor Vehicle Drivers' (2008)

[503]Andrew, Blog entry (2007) Human Rights and
Equal Opportunity Commission Listening Tour website at 6 December 2007

[504]Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission,
'Melbourne Community Consultation' (2008)

[505]Email from Mark Tucker-Evans (Council on the Ageing
Queensland) to Elizabeth Broderick, 18 April 2008.

[506]Email from Mark Tucker-Evans (Council on the Ageing
Queensland) to Elizabeth Broderick, 18 April 2008.

[507]Email from Mark Tucker-Evans (Council on the Ageing
Queensland) to Elizabeth Broderick, 18 April 2008.

[508]Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission,
'Women's focus group 5' (2008)

[509]Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission,
'Women's focus group 5' (2008)

[510]Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission,
'Meeting with Nindilingarri Cultural Health Services, Fitzroy Crossing'
(2008)

[511]Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission,
'Meeting with Nindilingarri Cultural Health Services, Fitzroy Crossing'
(2008)

[512]Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission,
'Meeting with Nindilingarri Cultural Health Services, Fitzroy Crossing'
(2008)

[513]Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission,
'Meeting with Nindilingarri Cultural Health Services, Fitzroy Crossing'
(2008)

[514]Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission,
'Meeting with Indigenous elders and students, Mackay, Queensland' (2008)

[515]Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission,
'Meeting with Laynhapuy Homelands Association' (2008)

[516]Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission,
'Meeting with Dr Janet Hamill, University of Queensland' (2008)

[517]Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission,
'Bagot Community Consultation, Darwin' (2008)

[518]Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission,
'Meeting with Laynhapuy Homelands Association' (2008)

[519]Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission,
'Bagot Community Consultation, Darwin' (2008)

[520]Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission,
'Meeting with Laynhapuy Homelands Association' (2008)

[521]Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission,
'Bagot Community Consultation, Darwin' (2008)

[522]Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission,
'Bagot Community Consultation, Darwin' (2008)

[523]Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission,
'Bagot Community Consultation, Darwin' (2008)

[524]Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission,
'Bagot Community Consultation, Darwin' (2008)

[525]Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission,
'Meeting with Laynhapuy Homelands Association' (2008)

[526]Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission,
'Meeting with Kululuk Community, Darwin' (2008)

[527]Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission,
'Bagot Community Consultation, Darwin' (2008)

[528]Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission,
'Meeting with Sisters Inside, Brisbane' (2008)

[529]Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission,
'Meeting with Sisters Inside, Brisbane' (2008)

[530]Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission,
'Meeting with Sisters Inside, Brisbane' (2008)

[531]Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission,
'Meeting with Sisters Inside, Brisbane' (2008)

[532]ACT Human Rights Commission, 'Human Rights Audit on
the Operation of ACT Correctional Facilities under Corrections Legislation' (ACT
Human Rights Commission, 2007)

[533]ACT Human Rights Commission, 'Human Rights Audit on
the Operation of ACT Correctional Facilities under Corrections Legislation' (ACT
Human Rights Commission, 2007)

[534]The Australian Federation of University Women Inc.,
'March 2008 Submission to the Sex Discrimination Commissioner' (2008)

[535]Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement (ALRM), 'Brief for
the Sex Discrimination Commissioner' (2007)

[536]Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, 'NSW
Peak Women's Roundtable' (2007)

[537]Anonymous, Blog entry (2008) Human Rights
and Equal Opportunity Commission Listening Tour website at 19 February 2008

[538]ACON, 'Submission to HREOC Listening Tour'
(2008)

[539]Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission,
'Meeting with Nindilingarri Cultural Health Services, Fitzroy Crossing'
(2008)

[540]Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission,
'Perth Community Consultation' (2008)

[541]Janet, Blog entry (2008) Human Rights and
Equal Opportunity Commission Listening Tour website at 16 March 2008

[542]Letter from YWCA NSW to Elizabeth Broderick,
November 2007

[543]Janet, Blog entry (2008) Human Rights and
Equal Opportunity Commission Listening Tour website at 16 March 2008

[544]Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission,
'Men's focus group 6' (2008)

[545]Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission,
'Men's focus group 6' (2008)

[546]Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission,
'Meeting with Dads on the Air, Men's Health Information & Research Centre and
other' (2008)

[547]Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission,
'Adelaide Community Consultation' (2007)

[548]Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission,
'Darwin Community Consultation' (2008)

[549]Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission,
'Men's focus group 5' (2008)

[550]Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission,
'Fitzroy Crossing Community Consultation' (2008)

[551]Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission,
'Men's focus group 6' (2008)

[552]Luke, Blog entry (2008) Human Rights and
Equal Opportunity Commission Listening Tour website at 7 March 2008

[553]Greg Andreson et al, 'Issues for Australian Men and
Boys: Briefing paper for meeting with Ms Elizabeth Broderick Sex Discrimination
Commissioner and Commissioner Responsible for Age Discrimination' (2008)

[554]Luke, Blog entry (2008) Human Rights and
Equal Opportunity Commission Listening Tour website at 7 March 2008

[555]Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission,
'Men's focus group 6' (2008); Greg Andreson et al, 'Meeting with Greg Andreson (Dad's
on Air), Micheal Woods (Men's Health Information & Research Centre) and Maggie
Hamilton' (2008)

[556]Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission,
'Men's focus group 6' (2008)

[557]Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission,
'Men's focus group 6' (2008)

[558]Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, 'NSW
Peak Women's Roundtable' (2007); ACON, 'Submission to HREOC Listening Tour' (2008);
Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, 'Melbourne Community Consultation'
(2008)

[559]ACON, 'Submission to HREOC Listening Tour'
(2008)

[560]Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission,
'Women's focus group 7' (2008)

[561]Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, 'NSW
Peak Women's Roundtable' (2007)

[562]ACON, 'Submission to HREOC Listening Tour'
(2008)

[563]Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission,
'Women's focus group 7' (2008)

[564]Letter to Elizabeth Broderick, 20 April
2008.

[565]Coming Out Proud Program State Steering Committee
Tasmania, 'Submission to State Wide Consultation - Suicide Prevention in Tasmania'
(2007)

[566]ACON, 'Submission to HREOC Listening Tour'
(2008)

[567]Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission,
'Melbourne Community Consultation' (2008)

[568]Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, 'NSW
Peak Women's Roundtable' (2007)

[569]Coming Out Proud Program State Steering Committee
Tasmania, 'Submission to State Wide Consultation - Suicide Prevention in Tasmania'
(2007)

[570]Coming Out Proud Program State Steering Committee
Tasmania, 'Submission to State Wide Consultation - Suicide Prevention in Tasmania'
(2007)

[571]Letter to Elizabeth Broderick, 20 April
2008.