‘Vile’ Mark Latham tweet could be grounds for vilification complaint under NSW law, experts say

Gay men in New South Wales could have grounds to bring a complaint of homosexual vilification against Mark Latham over a tweet that saw him labeled a bigot by the premier and brought independent MP Alex Greenwich to tears, legal experts say.

…

The Public Interest Advocacy Centre’s policy director, Alastair Lawrie, believed a complaint of homosexual vilification could be lodged under the state’s Anti-Discrimination Act because the tweet was posted publicly and it was arguable that it could incite hatred towards, serious contempt for or severe ridicule of gay men.

“A complaint would not necessarily need to be brought by Mr Greenwich – it could be made by or on behalf of any gay man, or a group of gay men, in NSW,” he said.

“This reflects the fact that public vilification causes harm beyond its direct target.”