Page 822 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 9 April 2014
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I am stunned that of all the issues that need our urgent attention in Australia the government has moved within its first year to repeal racial hatred laws. It is determined to implement its agenda to ensure all Australians have the right to be bigots. What a backward step in a country where, sadly, racial intolerance remains a real problem. It is a country where in 2005 an alcohol-fuelled mob marched through Cronulla and attacked and abused people of Middle Eastern appearance, incited by widely circulated text messages calling for “wog and chink bashing”. It is a country where in 2014 about 20 per cent of people still feel discriminated against because of their skin colour, ethnic origin or religious beliefs, up from 12 per cent in just 2012—an eight per cent increase in two years. This result was released just last month in the mapping social cohesion survey, conducted by the Scanlon Foundation.
This problem, and the corresponding international reputation, is one the Greens are committed to combating. I know many Australians feel the same way, and I would hope that everyone in this Assembly feels the same way. I have had considerable positive feedback from people after my comments appeared in the Canberra Times recently in which I indicated my disagreement with the Brandis approach and my view that the ACT could legislate in this space if the federal government vacated this space.
The proposal by Mr Brandis has, not surprisingly, attracted a lot of attention from the community. And, not surprisingly, a lot of people are unhappy, offended and insulted by the way in which Mr Brandis has presented his proposals. On the other hand, I am sure the unattractive underbelly of Australian society where bigots and racists lurk are rejoicing and feel they have been given tacit approval. I shudder to think of the result for the millions of ethnically diverse Australians, Australian multiculturalism and the quality of public debate if these proposals were to pass and become law.
As I have said publicly in recent weeks, I think the ACT can and should investigate how we amend our own Discrimination Act to pick up any concepts lost through federal changes. Fortunately, we are in a good place to do this, as the federal Racial Discrimination Act specifically allows for state and territory laws to operate concurrently with federal laws as long as they promote the objects of the international convention to eliminate race discrimination. I have had some good initial discussions and advice about this matter. Members may have seen the supportive comments from George Williams, suggesting that it is possible to do this without running into legal problems.
In terms of the timing on these possible changes, I think it is prudent to wait until the federal government exposure draft process is over so we can have a full understanding of the federal laws so we can accurately respond and ensure that here in the ACT we have in place provisions that are about promoting a harmonious and accepting society and not one that invites bigotry.
I note that Dr Bourke’s motion suggests the government will make a submission to the federal government on the proposals. That is a good idea, but I encourage all parties in this Assembly to oppose the Brandis changes. I will certainly do it on behalf of the Greens. It is clear the Labor Party intends to, and I hope the Canberra Liberals
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