Club slapped for racist door antics

A YOUNG man refused entry to a Victorian nightclub has been awarded $3000 after it was ruled he was discriminated because of his race.

Ivan Kibet, who says he is of “African appearance”, was the only one of his friends turned away from the Empire Club in the Melbourne suburb of Narre Warren on October 7 last year.

Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal senior member Bernadette Steele yesterday said he had “suf- fered humiliation” and “hurt”, as she ordered the club to pay up.

Mr Kibet was with an allwhite group, bar one person of Indian descent, when he attempted to enter the club.

While a few of his companions were allowed entry without question, he and two others were told it was a “members only” night and they were not permitted. The trio changed their clothes and on a second attempt only Mr Kibet was refused entry, with his friends later noting that most people inside were of caucasian appearance.

Jonathan Leota, head doorman, said he had “picked up on a mannerism” and did not want to allow the friends into the club. But Ms Steele said CCTV showed the group were “unremarkable looking” and not behaving badly.

The club was ordered to pay Mr Kibet $3000 in compensation and to train its door staff in discrimination law before June.