Affirmative Action, Is It Fair?

Abstract

Affirmative action is a fairly loose term that covers a wide variety of practices aimed at overcoming disadvantages for particular social groups. Essentially it could be described as a programme-based approach to achieving equal employment opportunity. This article examines why it has been considered necessary to introduce it at this stage. It gives an outline of some of the equity issues in affirmative action generally, and from there discusses the characteristics of Australian affirmative action programmes.