Protecting people from racism and ensuring freedom of speech.

In this submission on the Exposure Draft of the Freedom of Speech (Repeal of s18C) Bill 2014, PIAC recommends significant amendments to the proposed legislation. Although PIAC supports the Attorney-General’s stated objects of reform, it does not believe that the Exposure Draft strikes the right balance between competing public interests. PIAC has identified a number of areas of concern with the Exposure Draft, including the narrow definitions of vilification and intimidation and the breadth of the exemption.