THE HON MARK DREYFUS QC MP
SHADOW ATTORNEY-GENERAL
SHADOW MINISTER FOR THE ARTS
MEMBER FOR ISAACS
MICHELLE ROWLAND MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR CITIZENSHIP AND
MULTICULTURALISM
SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR
COMMUNICATIONS
MEMBER FOR GREENWAY
MEDIA RELEASE
ANNIVERSARY OF THE RACIAL DISCRIMINATION ACT
Today marks the 39th anniversary of the passing of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975.
The passing of the Act in 1975 was due to the pioneering work of Gough Whitlam, Lionel Murphy and Kep Enderby.
The vision of the Racial Discrimination Act was for an Australia where all people have the right to be free from discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity or nationality.
That vision has been the foundation for the multicultural Australia we now live in.
In 1975 the Act made it against the law to discriminate in a range of areas, including employment, housing and the sale of goods and services.
In 1994 the Keating Government included Section 18C, which added protections against racist hate speech.
The Abbott Government promised to repeal Section 18C and were forced into a humiliating backflip by community opposition.
The Government and Senator Brandis believe that people have the right to be bigots.
Labor believes that all Australians have the right to live free from racial discrimination or vilification.
We will fight to protect the legacy of the Racial Discrimination Act and the protections in Section 18C.
FRIDAY, 31 OCTOBER 2014
