KEY POINTS:
A Maori and a Samoan are among those testifying at a tribunal hearing where a Sydney bar owner admitted refusing patrons entry on racial grounds.
Malcolm McGuinness, the owner of Scruffy Murphy's Irish pub, this week told the New South Wales Equal Opportunity Tribunal he had ordered security staff to follow the racist exclusion policy in 2005.
He claims the ban on patrons of Pacific Island or Middle Eastern origin was to reduce a spate of violent gang-related incidents at the popular central city pub, the Daily Telegraph reported. The policy was scrapped last year.
Samoan Benji Tupou and Maori Marcellus Cook told the tribunal they were refused entry by security staff who were open about the reasons.
Mr Tupou said it happened twice while he waited to enter the pub.
The first time, he claims, a bouncer asked him what nationality he was.
"I'm Samoan or Niuean," Mr Tupou says he replied.
He then alleges the bouncer said: "Seriously boys, I don't know how to say this, but you guys can't come into the hotel.
"No Islanders or Lebanese," the security guard allegedly added.
On the other attempt to enter, Mr Tupou claims he was removed from the queue by a Polynesian bouncer who told him, "Yep, no Islanders".
Mr McGuinness told the tribunal he didn't see the policy as racist.
"From my viewpoint it was not discriminating," he said.
"Once we implemented this policy, assaults were reduced."
The hearing continues.
Racial issues have been in the news this week, with South Sydney rugby league player Nathan Merritt claiming he was excluded from the New South Wales State of Origin trial because of his Aboriginal heritage.
"I wonder whether it was more a Souths thing or a racial thing," Merritt was quoted as saying.
His explosive claims led New South Wales selector Bob McCarthy to call a meeting to clear the air. The pair were pictured on the back page of yesterday's Daily Telegraph meeting at a cafe.
"I told Merritt to cop his omission on the chin," McCarthy said. "I know I'm not a racist."
- NZPA
