The Anti-Discrimination Tribunal is established by the Tasmanian Anti-Discrimination Act 1998 and its main purpose is to conduct Inquiries concerning complaints about conduct prohibited by the Act.
The Tribunal can hear complaints of discrimination on any of the following grounds:
Further, the Tribunal hears complaints of sexual harassment and also prohibited conduct (which includes offensive or humiliating conduct: see s17) based on gender, marital status, pregnancy, breastfeeding, parental status and family responsibilities. Other grounds of complaint are victimisation relating to complaints or proceedings under the Act and inciting hatred on the ground of race, disability, sexual orientation, lawful sexual activity, religious belief or affiliation or religious activity.
The areas of activity which are covered by the Act concern:
(Complaints involving inciting hatred are not limited to these areas of activity).
Complaints are lodged with the Office of the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner at:
Office of the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner Level 1The Office of the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner is responsible for investigation of complaints. The Commissioner may refer the complaint to the Tribunal after it has been investigated and if it cannot be resolved by conciliation.
After a complaint is referred to the Tribunal for Inquiry the parties will receive a letter advising them of a date for a Directions Conference.
At the Directions Conference the Tribunal will make directions to ensure that the Inquiry is conducted fairly and expeditiously. Often a time-table is set to require the parties to prepare and exchange documentation. If a party wishes to be legally represented or accompanied by a person at the Inquiry then permission may be sought at the Directions Conference.
When the directions have been complied with the complaint is listed for Inquiry.
Once an Inquiry has been held and if the complaint is substantiated the Tribunal may make an enforceable order. The orders which can be made by the Tribunal are set out in the Act and include orders as follows:
The Anti-Discrimination Tribunal is located at the Magistrates Court, Hobart. The address is:
Anti-Discrimination Tribunal