Hate speech proposal leaves questions unanswered
Just.Equal Australia has welcomed news reports that federal hate speech laws will be extended to cover more grounds but says the reports leave many key questions for the LGBTIQA community unaddressed.
Today’s news report says the Government will prohibit vilification on grounds such as sexual orientation, gender and religion, but there is no indication if this will include gender identity or whether existing protections under section 18c of the Race Discrimination Act will be extended to other grounds.
Spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said,
“We welcome the reports that hate crime penalties will be extended, but the devil will be in the detail.”
“Will vilification on the grounds of gender identity and sex characteristics be included and will the kind of protection currently provided under 18c be made available for LGBTIQA+ people?”
“Will the Government take this opportunity to enact its promise to change the attribute of ‘intersex status’ to ‘sex characteristics’ in discrimination law, thereby providing stronger protections for intersex people?”
“Will the Government begin to speak out against rising LGBTIQA+ hate given it has said nothing about attacks against us over the last twelve months?”
“Finally, will there be public consultation more broadly than a small number of advocates close to the Government?”
Mr Croome said Just.Equal will write to the Attorney-General seeking answers.
Just.Equal has previously expressed concern that no senior member of the Government has spoken out against the rising tide of anti-LGBTIQA hatred and violence. More here: https://ymlp.com/zfqkQ000000p
For a copy of this statement on the web, click here
For more information contact Rodney croome on 0409 010 668
