- Cook Labor Government introduces new laws to protect more Western Australians from discrimination, harassment, and vilification
- Equal Opportunity Bill 2026 will be the most significant reform of Western Australia's anti-discrimination framework in almost half a century
- People who are abused or threatened based on their race, religion, disability, sexuality, gender identity, or sex can make a complaint
- Legislation will deliver on a significant Cook Labor Government election commitment, and help build safer and more inclusive communities
- New legislation brings Western Australia into line with other states
The Cook Labor Government has introduced new legislation to modernise the Equal Opportunity Act 1984, ensuring more Western Australians are better protected from discrimination, harassment, and vilification.
The Bill will widen who is protected from discrimination, and for the first time, allow a person to make a complaint to the Equal Opportunity Commissioner for vilification based on disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or sex.
Under the modern new laws, discriminating against people who are homeless, exposed to family and domestic violence, pregnant or breastfeeding, who have carer responsibilities, or are involved in trade union activity will also be unlawful.
The measures will support safer and more inclusive communities, providing a clear recourse for those that may targeted with hatred, threats, or serious abuse, including for example, those targeted due to antisemitism or Islamophobia.
Importantly, the laws are designed to prevent harm, not simply respond to it.
Businesses, schools, and other organisations will be required to take reasonable steps to eliminate discrimination, harassment, and vilification based on their size and available resources.
Schools and employers will be required to make reasonable adjustments for students and employees with a disability, those who are pregnant, breastfeeding mothers, or those with carer responsibilities to help. This will support greater participation and inclusion.
The Bill will now make it unlawful for judicial officers, local councillors, and Members of Parliament to discriminate or harass people that work for, or with them, encouraging compliance with equal opportunity laws in all places of work.
It will also remove the disadvantage test from the definition of sexual harassment as recommended by the Law Reform Commission of Western Australia and the Community Development and Justice Standing Committee in their report 'Enough is Enough' Sexual harassment against women in the FIFO mining industry, to put the focus on the wrongful behaviour and make it easier to prove complaints about sexual harassment.
The Equal Opportunity Bill was informed by a Law Reform Commission review of the existing laws and regulations, which was undertaken in 2022.
As stated by Premier Roger Cook:
"This is the most significant reform of Western Australia's equal opportunity laws in forty years, and this legislation will bring us into line with other states to ensure more Western Australians are protected from discrimination and harassment.
"Today we are sending a clear message: hate is not okay in WA. Nobody should face discrimination or abuse based on their race, religion, sexuality, or disability.
"Every Western Australian deserves to live life free from discrimination, harassment, vilification, and victimisation so that they can life happy and fulfilled lives and contribute fully to family, community, and working life.
"The modernisation of Western Australia's equal opportunity framework is long overdue, and I am proud to introduce these new laws which will make our communities safer, more inclusive and make Western Australia an even better place to live."
As stated by Attorney General Dr Tony Buti:
"This is a great move for everyone in this State and we are proud to improve protections for all Western Australians, particularly the most vulnerable.
"People are entitled to lead their lives without being targeted because of their perceived differences.
"We also needed to remove some of the exemptions that were historically in place so judges, MPs, and local councillors will now be subject to the same rules in terms of discrimination."
