Australian Anti-discrimination Law

The book "Australian Anti-discrimination Law" is a comprehensive legal text authored by Neil Rees, Simon Rice, and Dominique Allen. Here is a detailed overview of the book, including its key themes, plot summary, and critical reception:

Key Themes

1. Introduction and Overview:

   • The book provides a revised introduction and overview of Australian anti-discrimination law, making it accessible to both specialists and non-specialists in the field.

2. Legislative Reform and Case Law:

   • It offers a detailed account of legislative reform and developments in case law across all nine jurisdictions in Australia, up to late 2017.

3. Protected Attributes:

   • The book includes standalone chapters on protected attributes such as race discrimination, sex discrimination, disability discrimination, age discrimination, and carers' responsibilities, among others.

4. Complaints Procedures:

   • It analyzes the changes in complaints procedures under the Australian Human Rights Commission Act and discusses the case law and public debate that led to these changes.

5. Special Measures Provisions:

   • The book provides a comprehensive analysis of the operation of special measures provisions in all anti-discrimination statutes, including integrated discussions of exceptions to the prohibition of discrimination for each attribute and area.

Plot Summary

The book is structured to provide a thorough understanding of Australian anti-discrimination law. It begins with an introduction that sets the context for the subsequent chapters. The core of the book is divided into several parts:

1. Part 1: Introduction:

   • This part introduces the reader to the conceptual and social context of Australian anti-discrimination law, setting the stage for the detailed analysis that follows.

2. Part 2: Analysis of Anti-Discrimination Legislation:

   • This section examines the major frameworks of the law in detail, including which personal attributes attract legal protection, what conduct the law prohibits, who owes duties not to breach the law, and the areas of activity in which those protections apply.

3. Part 3: Additional Avenues for Promoting Equality:

   • This part discusses additional avenues for promoting equality, including rights under workplace law (the Fair Work Act), data reporting requirements under the Workplace Gender Equality Act 2012 (Cth), and human rights laws in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and Victoria.

Critical Reception

While specific reviews of the book by Neil Rees, Simon Rice, and Dominique Allen are not readily available in the search results, the book's comprehensive nature and detailed analysis of legislative reforms and case law suggest it is highly regarded in academic and legal circles. The third edition, published in 2018, has been fully revised and updated to enhance its accessibility, indicating a strong commitment to maintaining the book's relevance and authority in the field of Australian anti-discrimination law.

In summary, "Australian Anti-discrimination Law" by Neil Rees, Simon Rice, and Dominique Allen is a seminal text that provides a thorough understanding of the complex legal landscape surrounding anti-discrimination in Australia. Its comprehensive coverage of legislative reforms, case law, and protected attributes makes it an essential resource for both specialists and those seeking to understand the intricacies of this critical area of law.