Tassie VIPs speak out against weakening of hate speech laws

Forty high profile Tasmanians have spoken out against a Government proposal to weaken the state’s laws against hate speech.

They include MONA owner David Walsh, Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary’s Greg Irons, author and TV presenter Matthew Evans, The Kettering Incident creator Vicki Madden, former Tasmanian Law Society President, Matthew Verney, singer/songwriter, Monique Brumby, historian Henry Reynolds, Aboriginal leader Michael Mansell, education union president Helen Richardson, barrister and former Liberal Party advisor Greg Barnes, former My Kitchen Rules contestant Matt Newell and 2013 senior Tasmanian of the Year, Christina Henri.

The names of the forty Tasmanians were published in a full page open letter published in the Hobart Mercury today (a copy of the open letter is attached and the text is included below).

Mr Irons told the Hobart Mercury that the Anti-Discrimination Act “allowed for freedom of speech and changing it would constitute promoting bullying”.

“I see no benefit in that whatsoever”, he said.

“Everyone has the right to their own beliefs and religious groups can currently say they do not agree with certain things. But they should be able to say these things without attacking certain groups of people in society. Changing the Act is basically saying bullying is acceptable.”

The organiser of the open letter, Martine Delaney, said,

“The signatories on this open letter provide real proof to the government that it’s more than LGBTIQ activists who are deeply concerned by the idea of weakening our Anti-Discrimination laws. There are names on this letter of Tasmanians who are viewed as leaders in their fields. Their strong support of our gold standard legislation means this is now a national issue. ”

Long-time LGBTI rights advocate, Rodney Croome, who also signed the ad, said,

“I fear weakening the Anti-Discrimination Act will open the door to the kind of extremist statements Tasmanians would find unacceptable. The law should protect us all from hateful public statements regardless of who makes those statements.”

For a news report click here.

For further information contact Martine Delaney on 0417 530 621 or Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668.

TEXT OF OPEN LETTER AGAINST WEAKENING THE ANTI-DISCRIMINATION ACT

[Text of declaration]

Defend our world class Anti-discrimination Act

These protections foster the values of respect and inclusion. Hate speech tarnished the reputation of Tasmania during the gay law reform debate in the 1990s. Our current laws helped Tasmania mature into a more respectful society. The current laws protect ethnic and religious minorities, people with disabilities, LGBTI people, and women, from hatred and humiliation.

They hold us all to the same standard of respectful speech, including religious leaders, and set a national standard for dealing with hate speech. They balance freedom of speech with freedom from hate and have never been used to censor respectful debate. Weakening our laws will cause direct harm to vulnerable Tasmanians. Please protect respect and foster a more inclusive Tasmania.

[Names of signatories]

Greg Barns, Barrister and former National President, Australian Lawyers Alliance

David Walsh, MONA

Professor Richard Eccleston, Academic

Monique Brumby, Singer/songwriter and ARIA winner

Martine Delaney, LGBTIQ rights advocate

Lisel Allen, Human Resources Manager

Rod Anderson, Community member

Annette Downs, Senior Producer, Tasmania Performs

Rodney Croome AM, LGBTIQ rights advocate, Tasmanian of the Year 2015

Trevor McKenna, Lawyer

Matthew Evans, Author, TV presenter, Fat Pig Farm

John X, Actor, arts entrepreneur

Matthew Verney, Principal, Matthew Verney Lawyers

Susan Fahey, CEO, Women’s Legal Service Tasmania

Greg Irons, Director, Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary/Tarkine Trails

Robert Jarman, Artistic Director, Blue Cow Theatre

Gregory Leong, Artist and theatre Manager

Vicki Madden, Creator and co-writer, The Kettering Incident

Christina Henri, Social historian, Senior Tasmanian of the Year 2013

Matt Newell, Participant My Kitchen Rules

Henry Reynolds, Historian

Helen Richardson, President, Tasmanian Branch Australian Education Union

Michael Mansell, Aboriginal leader

David O’Byrne, Former National Secretary, United Voice

Margaret Reynolds, Former national president, United Nations Association of Australia

Jen Van-Achteren, LGBTIQ Rights Campaigner

Jane Edwards, Musician and educator

Rick Marton, Owner, digital marketing company

Civil Liberties Australia, Tasmanian Branch

Kevin Harkins, Union leader

Nicholas Stewart, Partner, Dowson Turco Lawyers

Dr Craig White

Tracey Wing

Joshua Reilly, Artist

Community Legal Centres Tasmania
TasPride
Unions Tasmania
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights
PFLAG Tasmania
Rainbow Tasmania
TasPride & TasCAHRD
Rodney Croome, TASMANIAN GAY AND LESBIAN RIGHTS GROUP