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Fixing laws to tackle rising hate in Victoria
A coalition of union, civil society, faith-based and human rights groups has told the Andrews government they must take a stand against rising hate in the Victorian community.
Tony Zhang
The groups have given evidence on Wednesday to a parliamentary inquiry considering proposed changes to Victoria’s anti-vilification laws.
“Right now, our politicians and police are hamstrung in the face of rising hate in Victoria,” Ruth Barson, joint executive director of the Human Rights Law Centre, said.
“Last year, Premier Andrews didn’t have the power to stop a Neo-Nazi concert.
“This year, Victoria Police didn’t have the power to remove a Nazi swastika flag flying above a house in regional Victoria.”
The Andrews government must stand up against intolerance and, according to Ms Barson, “introduce strong laws so that we can all be safe and live a life free from hate”.
Last month, a couple who lives in Beulah refused to take down a flag with Nazi swastikas despite complaints from furious neighbours.
The couple also lived across the road from a frail Holocaust survivor, aged 83, whose parents were both killed in concentration camps.
The Jewish Community Council of Victoria has called on the state’s Racial and Religious Tolerance Act to completely ban the public display of the Nazi symbol.
This combined coalition will argue that Fiona Patten’s bill does not go far enough and will advocate for strong anti-vilification laws that can stop hate in its tracks.
The coalition of organisations will explain that new laws must:
- Ban the Nazi swastika and public display of vilifying and offensive material.
- Broaden the categories of people protected under the law from race and religious belief to also include LGBTIQ people, people with a disability and women.
- Enact stronger civil and criminal laws so that the courts and police can properly hold people to account for hateful conduct.
“Laws that clearly outline the responsibilities of all of us and that hold those who choose to divide us to account.
“Laws that put an end to increasingly discriminatory discourse.”
