AUSTRALIA: Indigenous Activists Call for $100,000 Compensation over Discrimination

Published on

in

This is our daily post that is shared across Twitter & Telegram and published first on here with Kindness & Love ❤️❤️ on My.Daz.blog

#AceNewsRoom With ‘Kindness & Wisdom’ Mar.11, 2022 @acenewsservices

Ace News Room Cutting Floor 11/03/2022

Follow Our Breaking & Daily News Here As It Happens:

#AceDailyNews says Indigenous activists call for $100,000 compensation after racial discrimination claim against service station

according to ABC News Report:

Three smiling women under green trees. A young girl to the left holds an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flag.
Gracelyn Smallwood (right) claims she was racially discriminated against at a Townsville service station.(ABC North Queensland: Chloe Chomicki)

Two high-profile Indigenous activists have filed complaints with the Australian Human Rights Commission alleging they were racially discriminated against at a Townsville service station. 

Renowned nurse and midwife Gracelyn Smallwood is alleging a service station attendant locked her fuel pump while she was attempting to fill her car at a service station because she is Aboriginal.

The Bindal elder, who is a Member of the Order of Australia, says she was forced to request that her pump be unlocked while other, non-Indigenous, customers were able to freely access the fuel.

Professor Smallwood says she felt “humiliated and intimidated” after the alleged incident at a Shell service station in the Townsville suburb of Belgian Gardens two weeks ago.

An Indigenous woman looking at an interviewer wearing a green printed shirt.
Professor Smallwood has lodged a racial discrimination complaint with the Australian Human Rights Commission.(ABC News)

“If my car hadn’t been on empty, I would have gotten in it and driven to another servo, such was my anger at what I believe was being played out,” she said.

Professor Smallwood said she contacted colleague Stephen Hagan about the incident shortly afterwards.

Dr Hagan is an Indigenous businessman and activist who agreed to a legal settlement with retail giant Coles over a similar alleged incident of racial discrimination at one of its service stations two years ago. 

A petrol station with a number of cars at the pumps
The service station in Belgian Gardens is owned and operated by Night Owl Convenience. (Supplied: Power 100)

He also previously led a successful campaign to rename Coon Cheese because he said it had racist connotations.

“I rang him and told him I believed I had just been racially profiled, as he had been back in 2020,” Professor Smallwood said.

Dr Hagan said he wanted to believe Professor Smallwood’s alleged treatment had been an isolated incident and drove to the service station to fill up as a “test.”

A man, looking stern, with his arms crossed in front of the beach.
Stephen Hagan has also filed a racial discrimination complaint with the Australian Human Rights Commission over similar alleged treatment.(ABC North Queensland: Zilla Gordon)

He claims he was also discriminated against by the same attendant because he was Aboriginal.

“I couldn’t activate my bowser … when the white man using the same pump on the opposite side to me was filling his car uninterrupted,” Dr Hagan said.

Professor Smallwood says their alleged treatment is extraordinary in 2022.

“What’s the odds of two black fellas with PhDs, driving two different silver Mercedes Benz that they own … being racially profiled at the same service station on the same day?” 

The pair have filed complaints with the Australian Human Rights Commission, claiming they have been racially discriminated against.

They have also engaged Stewart Levitt, an experienced class action litigator, to facilitate their claim.

A head and shoulder shot of Stewart Levitt.
Stewart Levitt has been engaged by Professor Smallwood and Dr Hagan to work on the claim.(Supplied)

Professor Smallwood and Dr Hagan say they want to engage in mediation with Night Owl Convenience, the owner and operator of the service station.

They are also calling for $100,000 each in compensation in response to what they claim was an “unlawful action that offended, insulted, humiliated and intimidated.”

In a statement, Night Owl Convenience said it was investigating.

#AceNewsDesk report ……….Published: Mar.11: 2022:

Editor says …Sterling Publishing & Media Service Agency is not responsible for the content of external site or from any reports, posts or links, and can also be found here on Telegram: https://t.me/acenewsdaily all of our posts from Twitter can be found here: https://acetwitternews.wordpress.com/ and all wordpress and live posts and links here: https://acenewsroom.wordpress.com/ and thanks for following as always appreciate every like, reblog or retweet and free help and guidance tips on your PC software or need help & guidance from our experts AcePCHelp.WordPress.Com


Hey!

Hey there, fellow Robloxian! Whether you’re here to discover hidden gem games, level up your building skills, or just stay in the loop with the latest events, you’re in the right place. This blog is all about sharing the coolest things in the Roblox universe—from developer tips to epic game reviews. So grab your Bloxy Cola, hit that follow button, and let’s explore the world of Roblox together! 🚀


Join the Club

Stay updated with our latest tips and other news by joining our newsletter.

Discover more from Peace & Truth

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading

Discover more from Peace & Truth

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading