A leading human rights lawyer has slammed an Australian job ad as morally and legally wrong after the employer specified exactly what candidates should look like.
Identified only as Michael, the Melbourne-based employer posted the controversial ad on Gumtree seeking an insulation installer.
“You will need a good work attitude, steel capped boots and be of Australian descent and appearance as we are marketed as an Australian-owned and family-run company,” the ad read.
The requirement soon sparked international backlash with many pointing out the ad is not only racist but also illegal – human rights lawyer Hugh de Krester was among the critics.
“It absolutely illegal in Australia to discriminate against someone on the grounds of race, including racial appearance,' de Kretser, from the Human Rights Law Centre, told 3AW.
“What Michael was talking about is on its face very clear racial discrimination, it's unlawful, it shouldn't be going on,” he continued, adding that the ad is “'morally wrong, legally wrong and no justification for it.”
An individual can face a fine of up to $8,000 for discrimination while companies can be fined up to $42,000.
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