Members of Sydney’s Chinese community have strongly opposed 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 there is great opposition to the Abbott Government’s proposed changes to the Racial Discrimination Act,” Ms Rowland said.

“The Government’s proposed changes will significantly weaken protections against racist hate speech in Australia and open the door to bigotry.”

Ms Rowland was speaking after attending a community forum held in Sydney’s Chinatown.

“It is very evident that the Chinese community feels very strongly about the proposal to remove these sections of the Racial Discrimination Act,” Ms Rowland said.

“For almost two decades the Act has worked to encourage harmony in the community and has struck the right balance between freedom from bigotry and freedom of speech.

“The Government must conduct proper consultations with these communities, as the Opposition is doing, to hear what the community thinks about this proposal.”

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

FRIDAY, 4 APRIL 2014

COMMUNITY GROUPS:

CHINESE AUSTRALIAN FORUM

THE GREAT WALL GROUP

AUSTRALIAN CULTURE AND COMMERCE ASSOCIATION

CHINESE VOLUNTEERS AUSTRALIA

AUSCOCO

CHINESE PERFORMING ARTS ASSOCIATION

CHINESE LANGUAGE SCHOOL ASSOCIATION

CHUNGSHAN SOCIETY