Dean Smith (WA, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I will continue in that spirit, Mr Acting Deputy President. What did Justice Robert French, the Chief Justice of the High Court now, say in regards to the Racial Discrimination Act and particularly in regards to section 18C? Justice French said:

The lower registers of the preceding definitions [in 18C] and in particular those of 'offend' and 'insult' seem a long way removed from the mischief to which Art 4 of CERD is directed. They also seem a long way from some of the evils to which Part IIA [of the RDA] is directed as described in the Second Reading Speech.

Let me abbreviate that for you, Senator Cameron. The Chief Justice is saying that the words 'offend' and 'insult' are not working in the way that was originally intended.

Would you like to hear from the esteemed human rights lawyer Sarah Joseph about her attitude to whether or not section 18C should be reformed?