INDEPENDENT legislator Anna Wu Hung-yuk yesterday accused the Government of using stalling tactics over her anti-discrimination and human rights tribunal bills. Referring to a senior government official's comment that it would take two years for the administration to consult the public on the bills and study them, Ms Wu said that was just an excuse for blocking the legislation. ''I was surprised to learn about the Government's remarks,'' she said at a press conference where she invited public views on her final draft bills. She said she did not accept the Government's argument, saying it had finished consultation on sexual equality and public opinion was available. ''The two international human rights covenants were applied to Hong Kong 14 years ago and the Government still says it needs time for study on it. It only shows the administration had not fulfilled its responsibility properly,'' she said. The Government had promised three years ago to come up with specific legislation to cope with human rights issues such as discrimination in the private sector. It had then suggested applying the Bill of Rights Ordinance only to government and public bodies. ''The time has now come to enact such legislation and fulfil the promise of the proposed Bill of Rights as originally presented to Hong Kong people,'' said Ms Wu, who plans to introduce her bills in June. She wants to make it unlawful for employers to place job advertisements which discriminate against people by their sex or age, and said some firms had indicated their support. ''It would neither mean any interference with the operation of the free market nor could it make Hong Kong less competitive. I think it would enhance the overall economic power because more people could join the workforce.'' She said the bill provided for exemptions and did not require employers to hire a minimum number of employees from discriminated against groups. While Ms Wu was confident the Equal Opportunities Bill would be successfully tabled in the legislature, she was worried about the Human Rights and Equal Opportunities Commission Bill, which provided for an equal opportunity commission and a tribunal. The setting up of the tribunal could cost up to $800 million and was therefore subject to the Governor's approval. She hoped the Government could give the bill the green light. ''It is easy for the Government to talk about human rights but the more important thing is that a proper redress system should be available.'' The human rights commission would be responsible for investigating complaints and attempting conciliation between parties. Matters would be referred to a specialist tribunal for adjudication if mediation failed. Ms Wu said that in the absence of a human rights tribunal, the anti-discrimination legislation could be enforced through existing tribunals and courts, but the public would not enjoy the advantage of reconciliation and easy access. The two-month consultation on the bills ends in May.
