Qld: Govt won't force Tattersall's hand

AAP General News (Australia)
12-20-2006
Qld: Govt won't force Tattersall's hand

By Steve Connolly and Laine Clark

BRISBANE, Dec 20 AAP - The Queensland government has rejected calls from the state's
anti-discrimination watchdog to change laws to force one of Australia's oldest men's clubs
to admit female members.

Male bastion Tattersall's Club in Brisbane last night voted against its committee's
recommendation to admit female members for the first time in its 141 year history.

A ballot of 3,260 male members resulted in a victory by 106 votes for those men opposed
to the move.

The same proposal has been rejected twice in the last four years despite support from
the current club president Peter Carroll and Premier Peter Beattie.

Anti-Discrimination Commissioner Susan Booth said today the government should remove
a legal loophole which enables not-for-profit clubs to discriminate on membership.

Ms Booth said powerful mens' clubs such as Tattersall's should move into the 21st century
and recognise women as important members of the business and professional community.

"The Queensland government must step up to the challenge and get rid of the current
exemption that allows not-for-profit clubs to discriminate on who can or cannot be a member,"

she said.

"It's all very well for the premier to be for it (female members) but it's now up the
government to amend the definition of club."

But Attorney-General Kerry Shine said: "We've got no plan to change the law."

Mr Shine said it was hoped Tattersall's would ultimately admit female members.

"This is a decision for them," he said.

High-profile Brisbane businesswoman Sarina Russo - a Tattersall's associate member
- said she would never give up gaining full membership.

"The thought of not allowing women in a business club in today's world is just unacceptable,"

she said.

The 5,500-strong membership of the club has been open to men aged 21 and over.

Leading politicians, 17 judges, 219 managing directors, 510 solicitors, 481 accountants
and 149 doctors are among the membership, paying joining fees of $1,100 and annual subscriptions
between $400 and $800.

Tattersall's was founded in 1865 by gentlemen prominent in business and the thoroughbred
horse racing industry in Queensland.

Members opposed to women joining Tattersall's point out that organisations such as
Zonta International are exclusive to females.

In 2000, Tattersall's membership agreed to allow women into the Brisbane CBD club's
Long Bar on Friday nights and women are now permitted to patronise the bar weekdays from
2.30pm.

They may also dine in one of the club's two dining rooms and use its gym, 25-metre
heated indoor pool and accommodation suites.

AAP sc/jt/de

KEYWORD: TATTERSALLS NIGHTLEAD

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