Govt letter backs defence company push for racial exclusions

The Equal Opportunity Tribunal has reserved its decision on whether to give a major defence contractor permission to exclude employees on racial grounds.

BAE Systems Australia has argued that it needs to exempt dual national employees from places including China, Vietnam, North Korea, Cuba and Iran from working on top-secret defence contracts.

BAE Systems says it needs to meet stringent security requirements imposed by the United States, Australia’s main defence ally.

BAE lawyers have tendered a letter from SA Deputy Premier Kevin Foley in support of their claim that the state could lose many millions of dollars if an exemption order is not granted.

But lawyers for the equal opportunity commissioner argue that “legitimate commercial business interests”, no matter how significant, should not “override fundamental human rights”.

Source:
Govt letter backs defence company push for racial exclusions
ABC News (Australia)