Shopping centre student ban contravenes discrimination laws

"NSW laws condemn discrimination against young people when providing goods and services. Premier Iemma should ensure these laws are upheld, not side with corporate interests by supporting shopping centre owners in imposing bans," Ms Rhiannon said.

"Stocklands and Westfield, owners of mega shopping centres, are also big donors to the NSW ALP.  The Greens urge Morris Iemma to not let this cloud his actions in systemically addressing the relationship between shopping centres and young people.

"Once the shopping centre management bans students it can then evoke trespass laws for breaching the ban. Young people may be unfairly drawn into the juvenile justice system as a result.

"Westpoint Blacktown is seeking to sterilise their centre of young people to heighten consumption by other adults. Their social concern for truants is a convenient cover.

"Westpoint's energy would be more fairly spent forging productive, inclusive relationships with young people – not excluding them.

"Young people are the potential customers of the future and it is in the interests of Westpoint to welcome them. It has been estimated that young people across Australia represent a market of more than $4.6 billion.

"In 1999 the Youth Action and Policy Association, a youth NGO, worked with Westpoint to improve relations with young people.

"It is disappointing that Westpoint hasn't improved its customer relations with young people since this time," Ms Rhiannon said.


More information:  Lee  Rhiannon - 9230 3551 , 0427 861 568


Alison Orme
Adviser, Greens MLC Lee Rhiannon (p/t Wed-Fri)
Macquarie St, Sydney 2000
Tel: +61-2-9230 3551 Fax: +61-2-9230 3550
Mobile: 0432 332 104
Email alison.orme@parliament.nsw.gov.au
Web www.leerhiannon.org.au

[via Lee Rhiannon Media Release 8 May 2008 link]