Scullin MP Andrew Giles has made an urgent submission to Australia’s attorney-general opposing the federal government’s proposed changes to the Racial Discrimination Act.
The federal Labor MP last week said he feared the proposed changes to the act would undermine multiculturalism and equity in migrant-filled regions, including in Melbourne’s north.
Mr Giles said that with the limited time made available for consultation, people from municipalities such as Hume and Whittlesea had struggled to contribute to the process.
“As a representative of a culturally diverse community, I believe it is appropriate and important that the right of individuals to freedom of speech should be balanced with a strong legislative statement recognising the societal and individual harms caused by racial hatred,” he said.
Earlier this month, Attorney-General George Brandis announced the federal government would repeal four sections of the act, including 18C, which makes it unlawful for someone to publicly “offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate” a person or a group of people.
If implemented, the change would narrow the definition of “intimidate” to mean only fear of physical harm. It would also add the word “vilify’’ but define it to mean the incitement of third parties to hatred. The safeguards provided by the Racial Discrimination Act have been in place for almost 20 years.
Some Liberal MPs, human rights lawyers and ethnic groups have raised concerns that the changes could lead to increased racial discrimination.
In his submission, Mr Giles calls on the federal government to maintain the current wording of the act.
