The introduction of the Same-Sex Relationships (Equal Treatment In Commonwealth Laws — General Law Reform) Bill 2008, containing the second stage of legislation removing same-sex discrimination from a range of Commonwealth laws, is a reminder for private sector organisations to carry out a similar exercise for all types of discrimination in their organisation.

Where do you start?

Look at your forms and procedures. Are there questions which are discriminatory? For example, why do you need to know whether a person is married or not? If you say it is relevant to a lending decision, what extra information does it give you over and above the answer to a question about dependents?

The Australian Human Rights Commission (formerly the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission) has excellent information on age, sex, race and disability discrimination on its website.