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NSW man loses court case over pride flag complaint

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 13 Oct, 20:32 · Archive

A man who lost a government job offer after complaining about a pride flag has had his compensation claim rejected.

Darren Cook took the NSW Department of Planning Housing and Infrastructure to the Industrial Relations Commission, claiming he was victimised when a $133,000 job offer was pulled following several objections he made about a pride flag being flown in the office foyer.

Mr Cook argued that his concerns about the flag constituted "public or political activity" aimed at "influencing government policy" and were therefore protected. He sought damages for lost earnings and a job with the department.

However, the IRC rejected his case. Commissioner Daniel O'Sullivan ruled that Mr Cook's real motivation for complaining about the flag was personal. The commissioner found that Mr Cook objected to being associated with the flag and feared "the possibility that others might think he was gay". Mr O'Sullivan said Mr Cook's "expressed motivation focused on how the display of the pride flag reflected upon him and how others might perceive him", which did not indicate he was seeking to advance a broader public cause. The commissioner noted that Mr Cook's stated concern was the personal message he believed the display conveyed about him, with no reference to government policy, political beliefs or legislative change.

NSW man loses court case over pride flag complaint
Image: The West Australian

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How it is being reported

In this story: Darren Cook · NSW Department of Planning Housing and Infrastructure · Daniel O'Sullivan · NSW Industrial Relations Commission

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