They are shocked by examples of an increase in antisemitism and Islamophobia and reject the use of violence as well as the ideologies behind it.
Across Australia there is a significant body of legislation designed to underpin a harmonious multicultural nation by providing protection against discrimination and promoting human rights.
The Parliament of Australia added to this legislation when it passed the Criminal Code Amendment (Hate Crimes) Bill 2024 to bolster hate speech laws. In a media release of 6 February 2025 announcing the reform, the Hon Mark Dreyfus KC MP noted that the Bill ‘protects groups, members of groups, distinguished by race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, intersex status, disability, nationality, national or ethnic origin or political opinion.’
The Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (the Act) which applies within Western Australia aims ‘to promote recognition and acceptance within the community of the equality of all persons of all races and of all persons regardless of their sexual orientation, religious or political convictions or their impairments or ages.’
Promotion of equality is central to the work of the Equal Opportunity Commission and is pursued through a strategy that includes community engagement, and a program dedicated to educating community members, groups and organisations.
For those who have experienced discrimination, the Act provides remedies through the Commission’s complaint function. While each complaint is specific to an individual situation and the Commissioner and staff are required by the Act to protect the confidentiality of all complaints, it holds the potential for wider impact. For example, a complaint may result in a company amending its procedures to better support recruitment of people with disability.
The Commission’s community education program includes a range of training and information sessions. If you are interested in the Commission delivering a session to your community group, please contact us by email at training@eoc.wa.gov.au or phone 9216 3927.
General information about training offered by the Commission is available on our website - Community Education and Training.
