Statements
GAY ADVOCATES FEAR ANTI-BIAS CHANGE WILL BE “A LICENSE TO ATTACK MINORITIES”
Tasmanian gay rights advocates fear a State Government plan to water down hate speech provisions of the Anti-Discrimination Act will be “a license to attack minorities”.
Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said,
“Tasmania’s hate speech provisions are the strongest in Australia and have helped make our island a more tolerant and respectful place for sexual, ethnic and religious minorities.”
“Weakening these landmark laws will allow hatred to infect public debate and risks being seen as a license to attack minorities.”
“We will do all we can to protect the integrity of Tasmania’s Anti-Discimination Act and the relative cultural harmony it has helped foster.”
The State Government has said it intends to review the Anti-Discrimination Act at the behest of groups like the Australian Christian Lobby.
Rodney Croome, TASMANIAN GAY AND LESBIAN RIGHTS GROUP