Tasmanian advocates have called on the Tasmanian Government to hold accountable a man who was found to have breached the state’s Anti-Discrimination Act but is refusing to respect the decision.
Last month James Durston was ordered to apologise after it was found he had breached the Anti-Discrimination Act by distributing a leaflet denouncing homosexuality called “Homosexual Stats”, but in a lengthy letter to the Anti-Discrimination Commission (Download), Mr Durston has refused to adhere to the ruling that he describes as a “gross perversion of justice”.
The man who took the case against the leaflet, senior Tasmanian public servant, Robert Williams, said
“It’s always troubling when people think they’re above the law. However, in such a serious matter as this, where the Anti-Discrimination Tribunal has said Mr Durston broke the law, it saddens me that he won’t accept the umpire’s ruling.”
“Actions such as Mr Durston publishing of this hateful flyer cause much damage in our community and are the very reason laws like the Anti-Discrimination Act exist.”
Tasmanian gay rights advocate, Rodney Croome, said,
“To maintain confidence in the Anti-Discrimination Act, and to ensure Tasmania is a safe and inclusive society, the Tasmanian Government must do everything it can to uphold the ruling against Mr Durston.”
Mr Durston was ordered to publish an apology or face a fine. He has refused to do either.
• Download his letter explaining why:
LAWFUL_NOTICE_JD_Response_to_ADC_Decision.doc
• Download the original Tribunal decision:
Williams_v_Threewisemonkeys_and_Durston_-_Judgment_-_30-6-15.pdf
• Ben Cannon in Comments: … If this pamphlet contained even one ounce of truth, perhaps it might have something to build a defence from, but as it stands, it defames a whole group of people, and while not perhaps the worst thing that’s ever written on face value, it obviously reinforces existing fears amongst those prejudiced against homosexuals. – See more at: http://oldtt.pixelkey.biz/index.php?/weblog/article/advocates-call-for-tas-gov-to-enforce-gay-hate-decision/#sthash.47Rv0Ol1.dpuf …
