Premier

Statement On Racial Discrimination Act Inquiry

01 March 2017

Yesterday, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights tabled its report on the Racial Discrimination Act.

While the report does not recommend changes to sections 18C or 18D, today Coalition MPs are sadly maintaining their call to have them amended or even revoked.

This is a troubling development – and so, Malcolm Turnbull must now make a choice.

He must pledge support for Australia’s existing race hate laws, or cave in to the extreme views of a vocal minority.

I urge the Prime Minister to immediately rule out further changes to the Racial Discrimination Act.

On a state level, I am disappointed in Matthew Guy’s silence.

When he was the Multicultural Affairs Minister, he said: “There should be no changes to the Federal Racial Discrimination Act and we’ll be very, very clear in our submission to say so.”

I would welcome him again standing up for the values he was once proud to support.

The Andrews Labor Government knows that discrimination – in any form – is never acceptable.

This state’s diversity is one of our greatest strengths and we will protect it, even if the Liberals won’t.

Reviewed 19 August 2020

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