Bar Association submission on changes to the Racial Discrimination Act

30/04/2014

Advocacy

The New South Wales Bar Association has lodged its submission on the exposure draft of the Freedom of Speech (Repeal of s 18C) Bill 2014 (Exposure Draft), which proposes certain amendments to the racial vilification provisions in ss 18B to 18E of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975. The Bar Association submits that the case for amendment of the existing racial vilification provisions in ss 18B-18E of the RDA has not been made out. The Bar Association considers that any amendment to, let alone repeal of the existing provisions should be preceded by a rigorous and comprehensive review of the alleged deficiencies in their operation, undertaken by an appropriate body such as the Australian Law Reform Commission, and drawing on the expertise and experience of a broad range of groups and individuals.