The Victorian Government says it welcomes a joint submission by about 60 community groups to ensure racial discrimination laws be upheld.
Victorian Multicultural Affairs Minister Robin Scott said in a statement on Tuesday: “Any attempt to water down Australia’s hate-speech laws and undermine our history of multiculturalism will not be accepted by the Andrews Labor Government.
“Discrimination based on race, gender or religion is never OK. People have the right to be accepted for who they are."
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Federal Court says Qld police guilty of racial discrimination on Palm Island
Mr Scott, Aboriginal Affairs Minister Natalie Hutchins and the community groups linked arms on the steps of Parliament House in Melbourne on Tuesday to “demonstrate their unity”.
Ms Hutchins said such laws must be protected because discrimination against Aboriginal people was especially pronounced.
“It is a sad fact that discrimination is part of everyday life for Aboriginal Victorians.
“At a time when we are working towards reconciliation with our first peoples, it seems ridiculous to reduce protections against discrimination.
Debate about whether to alter or scrap the Racial Discrimination Act, which makes racial discrimination and hatred illegal, has continued throughout 2016.
In November, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced a parliamentary inquiry into the act to determine whether its mandates are unreasonable and impede freedom of speech.
Community groups include
Africa Day Australia Inc
Asian Australia Democracy Caucus
Brigidine Asylum Seekers Project
Church of All Nations, Carlton
Hindu Council of Australia
Jewish Christian Muslim Association
National Italian Australian Foundation
Sikh Interfaith Council of Victoria
South Sudanese Community Association in Victoria Inc
