A western suburbs forum will give residents and community groups an opportunity to discuss proposed changes to the Racial Discrimination Act this week.
Race Discrimination Commissioner Tim Soutphommasane and state shadow parliamentary secretary for multicultural affairs Telmo Languiller will speak at the forum, organised by Gellibrand MP Tim Watts.
Mr Watts said Dr Soutphommasane and Mr Languiller would discuss what the changes meant for the community.
“If you’re concerned about the impact the changes to the Racial Discrimination Act will have on our multicultural Australia, please come along to the forum so that your voice can be heard,” he said.
“We are keen to hear from people who want to learn more about changes to the act and wish to protect the multicultural society in Melbourne’s west.”
In a recent Nielsen poll, 88 per cent of respondents believed it should be unlawful to offend, insult or humiliate based on race. Attorney-General George Brandis has defended the changes by arguing that in a free country “people do have rights to say things that other people find insulting or offensive or bigoted”.
Senator Brandis said the federal government intended to repeal the sections of the Racial Discrimination Act that News Limited columnist Andrew Bolt was found guilty of breaching.
“I have always said that freedom of speech and the need to protect people from racial vilification are not inconsistent objectives,” he said.
Dr Soutphommasane argues there is nothing wrong with the current laws. “People see no need to change laws that have been in place for almost 20 years, laws which have worked well,” he told the ABC. “It’s important that we have laws that reflect our commitment to values of civility, decency and racial tolerance.”
The forum will be in the Maribyrnong council reception room, corner Hyde and Napier streets, Footscray, from 3-4.30pm on Friday, May 2.
» RSVP: tim.watts.mp@aph.gov.au
