Ellis v Kanyana Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre Inc

In *Ellis v Kanyana Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre Inc*, the applicant, Ms Ellis, sought to appeal a decision of the respondent, Kanyana Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre Inc, to terminate her volunteer position. The matter came before the Supreme Court of Western Australia.

The primary legal issue before the Court was whether the respondent's decision to terminate Ms Ellis's volunteer position constituted unlawful discrimination under the *Equal Opportunity Act 1984* (WA). Specifically, the Court had to determine if Ms Ellis's termination was based on her perceived disability, which she alleged was a protected attribute under the Act.

The Court considered the evidence presented by both parties regarding the reasons for Ms Ellis's termination. It analysed the respondent's policies and procedures for volunteers and the specific circumstances leading to the decision. The Court applied the principles of statutory interpretation to the *Equal Opportunity Act 1984* (WA), focusing on the definition of "disability" and the prohibition against discrimination on that basis. The Court found that the respondent's decision was not based on Ms Ellis's disability but rather on her conduct and failure to comply with the centre's operational requirements.

The appeal was dismissed.