DISAPPOINTMENT AS TAS UPPER HOUSE SAYS “NO” TO COMMUNITY CONSULTATION ON HATE SPEECH BILL
CALL FOR UPPER HOUSE TO KNOCK BACK “BADLY-DRAFTED” AND “DEEPLY CONCERNING” GOV’T BILL
Tasmanian gay rights advocates are disappointed the State’s Upper House has knocked back a full-scale inquiry into the Government’s proposal to weaken the state’s hate speech laws, and have urged the Upper House to veto the Government’s bill when it is debated as early as this Thursday.
This afternoon Murchison MLC, Ruth Forrest, proposed a Tasmanian Law Reform Institute inquiry into a Government bill that would permit offensive and hateful speech if it is for “religious purpose”. Ms Forrest cited the wide variety of views on the issue and the absence, thus far, of consultation with religious, ethnic and other minorities.
Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said,
“The Upper House has missed a golden opportunity to have a proper inquiry into a badly-drafted amendment that deeply concerns many Tasmanians, especially those in religious, ethnic and sexual minorities.”
“The voices of these minority communities have not been properly heard.”
“I urge the Upper House to now veto the Government’s proposal to water down the Anti-Discrimination Act so that it is forced to go back to the drawing board.”
According to the Member for Mersey, Mike Gaffney, Upper House members have received many letters about the proposed amendment, almost all of them against change to the state’s hate speech laws.
Download a newspaper advertisement signed by prominent Tasmanians who are against the Government’s proposed weakening of the state’s hate speech laws …
RainbowCommunities_FP_SatMercury_051116_(2).pdf
Rodney Croome, just.equal
