Robertson walks for respect

NSW Opposition Leader John Robertson has described a recent community Walk for Respect to show support for Section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act as a resounding success. Read more

No new laws, says Human Rights Commissioner Tim Wilson

As an independent statutory officer, Human Rights Commissioner Tim Wilson will use a wide-ranging speech to the Sydney Institute to articulate his agenda, declaring: “I do not want to introduce a new human rights law during my term of office. Instead, I want to strengthen the non-legislative defence of human rights.” Read more

Section 18C and cyber-racism

Why it’s important to have your say on proposed changes to the Racial Discrimination Act… writes Vic Alhadeff

Australians who care about the social cohesion of our society have until Wednesday to make our voices heard before the deadline for submissions on the proposal to amend section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act. Read more

What we think

Thirty one multicultural and religious communities in Victoria have responded to the opportunity offered by Attorney-General Senator George Brandis and the Federal Government  to comment on the  proposed changes to the Racial Discrimination Act (RDA). Read more

Section 18C supporters’ club

The Executive Council of Australian Jewry has welcomed political figures and various community organisation who seek to preserve the rights of those who need to culturally defend themselves. Read more

Southwick has his say

Liberal Victorian State MP David Southwick has expressed his concern over changes to the Racial Discrimination Act being planned by the Federal Liberal Government. Read more

Section 18C: A media conference with Mark Dreyfus

Mark Dreyfus is the Shadow Attorney-General and has faced a media conference dealing with the plans to repeal Section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act. Read more

AIJAC add its voice to proposed to criticism of new legislation

Right to be a bigot

The Abbott Government is committed to repealing Section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act. This sensitive topic was the subject of two important exchanges in parliament today…in the Senate, Attorney-General Senator George Brandis declared that “people have a right to be bigots” and in the House of Representatives Prime Minister Tony Abbott said: “Sometimes free speech will be speech which upsets people”. Read more

NSW Government on Sections 18C and 18D

Victor Dominello, NSW State Minister for Citizenship and Communities, and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, has responded to J-Wire’s question about the NSW O’Farrell government’s position on proposed to changes to Sections 18C and 18D of the Federal Racial Discrimination Act. Read more

Community leaders reject mooted changes to race hate laws

MPs break Liberal ranks over Section18C

Coalition MPs, Craig Laundy, the Federal Member for Reid, and Ken Wyatt, the Federal Member for Hasluck, have come out publicly to oppose any changes to sections of the Racial Discrimination Act (RDA) which prohibit public conduct that is reasonably likely to “offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate” a person or groups because of their skin colour or national or ethnic origin. Read more

Dreyfus on Section 18C

Shadow Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus has been interviewed on Sky News on his views on the Abbott Government’s proposed to repeal Section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act. Read the transcript. Read more

Leaders blast Commissioner’s call for the axing of Section 18c

Australia’s new Human Rights Commissioner, Tim Wilson has used an extensive interview in Jewish media to call for the axing of Section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act.

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Senator Brandis meets ethnic community leaders

With the review of Section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act a contentious issue leading into the next session of Parliament, Attorney-General Senator George Brandis has met this week with leaders of various ethnic communities. Read more

Law against racial vilification steeped in Australian history…writes Peter Wertheim

Those who would dismiss Australia’s laws prohibiting racial vilification as a mere concession to latter-day political correctness and ‘the culture of complaint’ should remember that such laws were called for by a distinguished Supreme Court judge as far back as 1949. Read more

Targeted for harassment…writes Barbara Miller

‘We’re so pleased with the outcome, for all our people,’ said Dr Atkinson, an academic. ‘Especially for the younger people coming through, who really shouldn’t have to deal with that continual stuff to have to justify their identity.’1 Read more