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Racial laws 'threaten young people'

The Young Liberals has called on the government to get serious about changing racial discrimination laws they believe pose a threat to young Australians.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is facing renewed pressure to change racial discrimination laws - this time from the Young Liberals.

Its federal president Aidan Depiazzi claims a contentious section of existing laws poses an enormous threat to you Australians who use social media.

Recent "abuses" of the law - namely, the case involving students from QUT - have opened the door for more vexatious claims from people who want money.

"This is a particular threat to young Australians who could find themselves hauled before the courts for a Facebook post, a Tweet, a Snapchat, or even an Instagram post - just because someone found it, in their opinion, to be offensive or insulting," he wrote in an opinion piece published in Spectator.

It shouldn't be a surprise that young people will say things that shock or instigate fiery debate - that was a sign of a healthy society, he said.

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"To now suggest to young people that they must adhere to a politically correct doctrine ... is anathema to our society.

"Australians don't need Big Brother to tell them what can and cannot be said."

Mr Depiazzi has called on parliament to get serious about reforming the Human Rights Commission and seriously amend or abolish section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act.

The section makes it an offence to insult, offend, humiliate or intimidate someone on the basis of race.


2 min read

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Source: AAP



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