INDUSTRY NEWS
NEW GUIDE
HIGHLIGHTS CLUBS’
DUTY TO BE INCLUSIVE
Golf Victoria and Golf Australia
welcome the release of Equal
Opportunity in Golf, a practical
guide to preventing unlawful
discrimination and harassment
in Australia’s golf clubs.
The guide, which was
developed with the
Victorian Equal Opportunity
Commission, reminds clubs
they have a positive duty not
to discriminate against women
and minority groups.
Equal opportunity in golf
is a key part of the sport’s
efforts to address the under-
representation of women in
golf. Women mak e up 21%
of all golf club members
nationally and 23% in Victoria,
which is significantly out of
step with other sports and
with contemporary Australian
society.
The guide, which also comes in
a handy ‘quick guide’ version,
can help clubs understand
their obligations under the
Equal Opportunity Act 2010. It
details their ‘positive duty’ to
provide an environment free
from discrimination, sexual
harassment and victimisation,
and to take ‘reasonable
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measures’ to eliminate these
practices in their clubs and in
membership policies.
Golf Victoria CEO Simon
Brookhouse says the guide
will help clubs to encourage
people from all walks of life to
participate in golf.
“Victorian golf clubs are known
for their friendly environments
and are often seen as the
backbone of communities,
especially in regional Victoria,”
says Brookhouse.
“Although golfers like to
think that their sport is fair
and open to all, there have
been examples of individuals
or groups that have been
excluded or prevented from
participating equally.”
Brookhouse says
discrimination can have
adverse effects on health,
confidence and performance
and may result in people
leaving the sport.
“Clubs that allow such
behaviour risk losing members
and volunteers, often resulting
in a reduced income,” he says.
“They also face the prospect
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AUTUMN EDITION 2018
of legal liability and financial
costs.”
“I encourage clubs to work
with Golf Victoria to help grow
the game and to ensure it
continues to be welcoming and
inclusive to all members of our
diverse community.”
Victorian Equal Opportunity
and Human Rights
Commissioner Kristen Hilton
congratulated Golf Victoria and
Golf Australia for their work on
the guide.
“Golf clubs provide a great
place for the community
to meet and socialise,” Ms
Hilton said. “They also have
a legal obligation under the
Equal Opportunity Act 2010
to provide equal opportunity
for people to participate,
regardless of their gender.
“Clubs play a key role in setting
standards of behaviour.