26 August 2008
Defence and discrimination
When it comes to working for American defence companies there are some very strict rules on what you can do, depending on where you were born. If you were born in so-called enemy countries like Afghanistan, Lebanon or Sudan, then it's a problem. Because of this ethos, the big US defence companies in Australia have consistently sought permission to be allowed to discriminate against any worker on the grounds of race, or country of birth.
So far, permission to be exempt from Australia's anti-discrimination laws has always been granted -- a major precedent in itself. Now the Human Rights Commission in Canberra has announced it's going to the Supreme Court to try to prevent it happening any more in the ACT.
Listen to the full report on Background Briefing, Tonight at 7pm.
Further Information
Defence and discrimination
Reporter
Lorena Allam
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