THE HON MARK DREYFUS QC MP
SHADOW ATTORNEY-GENERAL
SHADOW MINISTER FOR THE ARTS
MEMBER FOR ISAACS
MEDIA RELEASE
ABBOTT SHOULD LISTEN TO COMMUNITY ON 18C
Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Senator Brandis need to listen to the overwhelming community support for retaining the current protections against racist hate speech in the Racial Discrimination Act.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Senator Brandis need to listen to the overwhelming community support for retaining the current protections against racist hate speech in the Racial Discrimination Act.
For almost 20 years Section 18C has served Australians well and protected against the worst cases of racial vilification.
Despite the Government refusing to participate in a genuine community consultation, Australians continue to send a clear message that the protections in Section 18C should be left exactly as they are.
There are now 16 days left in the inadequate consultation period the Government has allowed for feedback on these significant changes.
The time has come for Tony Abbott and Senator Brandis to listen to Australians and abandon their plan to water down protections against racial vilification and hate speech.
MONDAY, 14 APRIL 2014
