Online advertisement seeks only ‘Caucasian’ men to play Father Christmas
An advertisement seeking only ‘Caucasian’ men to play Father Christmas in shopping centres in Adelaide has been taken down.
The ad received widespread criticism which experts say it breaches anti-discrimination laws.
Online advertisement seeks only Caucasian men
The ad, posted on Seek and Indeed by talent agency Essential Talent, offered to pay $40 to $50 an hour.
The ad starts:
“We are looking for Caucasian mature age men to play the role of Father Christmas…”
Ad agency claims ad ‘doctored’
A spokeswoman for Essential Talent told ABC News the word ‘Caucasian’ was not in the original text sent to the job search providers.
“I did the ad myself and did not put that [Caucasian] in there.
“Someone has doctored it… it’s definitely incorrect.”
In a separate statement, Essential Talent added that it is “a casting agency, casting all sorts of roles with specific requirements”.
“This is one of those jobs,” the spokesman said.
What the law says
Miles Heffernan, Director of Litigation at Discrimination Claims, said the law is clear when it comes to advertisements.
“In most states, it is unlawful to discriminate against someone on the basis of their race or ethnic origin when recruiting for a job,” he said.
“An advertisement calling for only Caucasian applicants is unlawful, and not allowed.”
However, Mr Heffernan said some states grant exemptions.
For example, a job where it is a “genuine occupational requirement” of the job that someone is a certain race or look.
“But I don’t think it’s an inherent part of the job to be white for someone to play the role of Santa Claus,” he said.
Arthur Butler wants to play Father Christmas
Aboriginal man Arthur Butler (pictured above) wants to play Father Christmas this season, and expressed disappointment by the “Caucasian-only” ad.
“I was a bit shocked by it,” Butler told NewsLimited.
“That was one of the reasons I went for it – to try and change things up – and I want to show other (Aboriginal) people they can do it as well.”
Butler says he would “love to be Santa to see the kids’ faces light up”.
“I love to bring happiness into people’s lives,” he said.
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