Excerpt from the Law Society Journal:
With the spate of antisemitic attacks in New South Wales and Victoria over the last few months, Australia is grappling with this complex issue. Both the Federal and NSW governments have proposed sweeping changes to hate speech laws. But are they a necessary step or a dangerous overreach?
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There is also a concern that the new laws disregard vulnerable and marginalised groups such as the LGBTIQ+ community. In an opinion piece published on LSJ, Alastair Lawrie, Director of Policy and Advocacy at the Justice and Equity Centre, sharply criticises the NSW Government for dangerously overlooking anti-LGBTIQ+ hatred while prioritising legislation against religious vilification.
“By introducing a new criminal offence of ‘intentionally inciting racial hatred’ – but only racial hatred – the Government is effectively saying that other forms of hatred are less serious, and do not deserve the same legal response,” Lawie stated.
He urges the NSW Government to treat anti-LGBTIQ+ hate with the same seriousness and implement necessary protections.
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