Andrew Wilkie (Denison, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to express objections to the proposed changes to the Racial Discrimination Act, and specifically the weakening of section 18C. Racial discrimination cuts deep and leaves a lasting wound. It is often not one act of abuse or vilification that is most damaging, but constant and prolonged bullying and undermining. Weakening section 18C would make it more difficult for those who are being bullied and abused over time to have their rights protected. And in a country that proudly trumpets its multiculturalism, it is indeed shameful that the government would move to make more people feel less safe.

The proposed changes demonstrate that this government does not respect Australia's international obligations and, in this case, the UN Convention on the elimination of racial discrimination. Moreover, article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights recognises that freedom of expression may need to be restricted to respect the rights and freedoms of others, making Senator Brandis's comments that 'people have the right to be bigots' plain wrong and, many people would argue, quite ridiculous.

The proposed changes also demonstrate the government is out of touch with the community. As a show of support for all those who have been, are being or will be victims of racial discrimination in Australia, students from the Friends' School in my electorate have gathered 8,567 signatures, including 243 from around Denison itself, calling on the government to abandon its changes to 18C. I present those signatures to the House.

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