MICHELLE ROWLAND MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR CITIZENSHIP AND MULTICULTURALISM
SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR COMMUNICATIONS
MEMBER FOR GREENWAY

HON ALANNAH MACTIERNAN MP
SHADOW PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA
SHADOW PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE
MEMBER FOR PERTH

MEDIA RELEASE
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WESTERN AUSTRALIAN ETHNIC GROUPS REJECT RACIAL DISCRIMINATION ACT CHANGES

Key Western Australian ethnic groups have rejected the Abbott Government’s plans to weaken the Racial Discrimination Act, Shadow Minister for Citizenship and Multiculturalism, Michelle Rowland said today.

“It is clear that these diverse communities in Western Australia don’t want the Racial Discrimination Act changed and the Abbott Government must listen to these concerns,” Ms Rowland said.

“The Government’s proposed changes will significantly weaken protections against racist hate speech in Australia and give the green light to bigotry. Western Australians don’t want that.”

Ms Rowland was speaking after attending a community roundtable forum held at the Hellenic Community Centre in Northbridge last night, organised by the Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Western Australia, Alannah MacTiernan.

“It is very evident that both Aboriginal and migrant groups feel very strongly about these proposals to water down the Racial Discrimination Act,” Ms MacTiernan said.

“The Act has been an important part of fostering a harmonious, multicultural society, and it would be very destructive of that harmony to repeal it.

“Dealing with racism is still a work in progress, as it is around the world. Weakening this legislation does not take us forward.”

Ms Rowland also encouraged people to send a submission to the Abbott Government on the proposed changes to [email protected] by 30 April.

THURSDAY, 3 APRIL 2014

JOINT COMMUNIQUE

LEADERS OF WESTERN AUSTRALIAN CULTURALLY AND LINGUISTICALLY DIVERSE COMMUNITIES

3 APRIL 2014

Last night, leaders of community organisations representing diverse cultures and faiths met to discuss proposed changes to the Racial Discrimination Act. The leaders below agreed to the following statement:

The Racial Discrimination Act was introduced to protect Australians from the racist comments and to promote harmony in Australia’s multicultural community.

The introduction of the additional protections contained in section 18C has proved to be a vital tool in reducing the incidence of hate-speech.

Many Australians are deeply concerned by recent evidence of racist incidents across Australia, whether it is abuse directed at someone because they’re speaking a language other than English, or because of the colour of their skin, or the faith they follow.

We need our leaders to reinforce the message that racism is not acceptable, and we unreservedly condemn it.

The proposed changes to the Racial Discrimination Act send the wrong message.

Insulting, offending or humiliating a person because of their race leads to increased discord in our community, and serious personal consequences for victims of discrimination.

It is behaviour that should be condemned, not condoned.

We need laws that preserve freedom from fear, not ones that promote freedom to hate.

On behalf of the organisations listed below, we call on the Federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to the Racial Discrimination Act and ensure that the Act continues to protect Australian citizens from hate-speech and to promote harmony.

MEDIA CONTACT

Dennis Eggington: 0417 932 244 Suresh Rajan: 0413 436 001

Dr Zarrin Siddiqui: 0434 841 705 Cleophas Katumba: 0413 083 778