Discrimination in Oz for Kiwis

Kiwis who have lived in Australia since childhood are lodging - and winning - race discrimination complaints, saying they are facing discrimination in the Australian job market.

In a recent case, the Melbourne Fire Brigade has admitted it breached the Equal Opportunity Act by refusing to accept a job application from a long-term Sydney resident born in New Zealand reports The Sydney Morning Herald.

After the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission intervened, the brigade conceded it was wrong to refuse New Zealand citizens work, and publicly apologised to David Faulkner (38).

The case was eventually settled out of court.

"I consider myself to be Australian, but I'm not allowed to be Australian. There is a certain amount of mental anguish associated with that," Faulkner is quoted as saying by the Australian paper.

Falkner also says he has been refused credit card insurance and applying for Federal Government jobs.

- NZ HERALD STAFF