December 2021 A reform agenda for federal discrimination laws • Predictable: there has been a limited number of cases that have made their way to the federal courts over the past twenty years. While this points to the success of the conciliation process to informally resolve matters, it has left a dearth of knowledge about key elements of these laws. A lack of precedent was cited as a major inhibiting factor to the effective operation of federal discrimination laws, and the need for different options to provide non-judicial guidance. • Trusted: The community should have confidence in the law as a reliable means by which discrimination can be prevented and remedied. Any reform to discrimination law should also improve protection across the community. It should not involve creating new forms of discrimination against any sector of society. Discrimination law should be accompanied by other protections and mechanisms to promote equality and respect for human rights. The absence of additional measures at present places additional burdens on the operation of discrimination laws, as the primary existing legislative mechanism to resolve human rights issues. 26 FREE AND EQUAL An Australian Conversation on Human Rights