What is the equal opportunity act?

In Victoria, state legislation relating to employment is contained in the Equal Opportunity Act (1995). The act and subsequent amendments make it unlawful for an employer (or potential employer) to discriminate against a person of the grounds of startus or private life.

These things include:

- sex

- pregnancy status

- physical or mental impairment

- race

- religion

- age

- industrial activity (eg, belonging to a union etc)

- lawful sexual activity/sexual orientation (who you sleep with)

- physical features

- martial, parental or career status

- breastfeeding

- gender identity

- association with a person identified with one of these grounds.

The Equal Opportunity Act (1995) impacts on the selection of people to work in a business (advertising and interviewing processes in particular) and the activities undertaken once in employment.

This (A.K.A. "Hatch Amendment") is also the name of the Amendment that would allow non-U.S. born citizens become the President of the United States. First came up in 2003 by Senator Hatch and ruled that anyone who was a citizen for 20 or more years could run for president. The bill has to be passed within 7 years from when it is introduced to congress.