Upper House slammed for condoning gay hate

Tasmanian gay advocates have slammed the state Upper House for vetoing a government attempt to extend a provision of the Anti-Discrimination Act that prohibits offensive and humiliating conduct to include the grounds of sexual orientation.

Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said the Council’s vote effectively condones anti-gay materials.

“It is unbelievable that the day after a damaging, hate-filled, anti-gay election flyer was made public, the Upper House voted down an attempt to prohibit such materials.”

“The Upper House is effectively saying to hate-mongers, do your worst, we don’t care.”

“With every right, including free speech, comes a responsibility not to abuse that right by harming others.”

“We will by lobbying the Government not to accept the Upper House’s harmful decision.”

The Tasmanian Anti-Discrimination Act already prohibits offensive conduct on a number of grounds including gender and relationship status. To see the provision, cilick here.

The State Government’s proposal would have extended that it include other grounds such as disability and sexual orientation.

The Upper House voted eight to six not to include these extra grounds.

Some Upper House members expressed concerns about infringement of freedom of speech.

But Mr Croome said no such infringement has occurred under the existing provision and would not occur if it is extended to include new grounds.

The Anti-Discrimination Act already prohibits incitement to hatred, but Anti-Discrimination Commissioner Robin Banks has said it is uncertain if the recenly-distributed hate-flyer would meet the high test for incitement.
Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome