First Case :
This is an Inquiry pursuant to 25A(1) of the Racial Discrimination Act (1975) into complaints by Mr Raza Rose and his mother Mrs Farangis Abedinzadeh against the Department of Social Security ("DSS").
Mr Rose lodged his and his mother's complaints with the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission ("the Commission") on 17 January 1995 alleging discrimination on the grounds of race which resulted in less favourable treatment in the provision of services.
Nur, a Bahai, was an officer in DSS, Australia. He asked disturbing questions to Mr. Rose and his mother.
The complaints alleged less favorable treatment because of race and ethnic origin on two occasions by Officers of the DSS at its Haymarket Office.
Mr. Rose is of Iranian origin, but has held Australian citizenship since 1981. He has qualifications as an electrician, and in the food and hospitality area.
The incident involved a conversation in an interview room between Mr Rose and a DSS officer identified as Mr. Nur. No one else was present during this conversation.
Nur has worked for the DSS for 10 years at the Haymarket office. At the time of the hearing he was a Supervisor in the Pension Section. In December 1994 and January 1995 he was a Supervisor in the cell specifically dealing with sickness and disability allowances.
In late December 1994 Mr Rose went to the DSS Haymarket office.
Mr Rose was interviewed by Nur.
Mr Rose said that Nur continued to speak to him in broken Persian.
Mr Rose said that Nur said that his (Nur's) parents were Iranian Persian and that one was Indian. Nur said things to him such as "do you like your government" and "your government they kill 300 Bahai." Mr Rose said that Nur asked him questions about the Iranian currency and how much money Mrs Abedinzadeh would receive in the pension if it was transferred into Iranian currency.
Mr Rose claimed that after Nur had told him that his mother had an unusual grant of pension that the DSS were not prepared to give her money to travel overseas. Mr Rose said that he is going to send his mother overseas and that once that is arranged that he is going to buy Nur a drink.
He said that he made this offer for the purpose of teaching and educating Nur. Nur became very upset and said that he was a Bahai and that Bahai's don't drink.
The interview finished with Nur opening the door and saying "I am busy don't waste my time".
The expression of these views by a Departmental officer in such a sensitive area was totally inappropriate.
Nur's supervisors were correct in strongly counseling him against such actions in the future.
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