Racial Discrimination Act: 'Bigotry should never be sanctioned', says NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell

Updated

New South Wales Premier Barry O'Farrell has taken a swipe at the Federal Government's planned changes to the Racial Discrimination Act.

The Federal Government is proposing to remove key sections of the Racial Discrimination Act that it says make it illegal to publicly "hurt the feelings of others".

Provisions making it unlawful for someone to publicly "offend, insult, or humiliate" another person or group based on their race would be removed.

Instead, a new clause would ban racial vilification.

Federal Attorney-General George Brandis released the proposed changes a day after he told Parliament that people "do have a right to be bigots".

Speaking in Sydney, NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell said his Coalition colleagues in the Federal Government should not lower defences against racial and religious intolerance.

"Bigotry should never be sanctioned, whether intentionally or unintentionally," Mr O'Farrell said after opening a Chinese photography exhibit.

"Vilification on the grounds of race or religion is always wrong. There is no place for inciting hatreds within our Australian society."

Senator Brandis has greeted Mr O'Farrell's comments as a "measured contribution" to the debate.

"I agree with them. I particularly agree with what Mr O'Farrell said when he said, if I may quote him, 'vilification on the grounds of race or religion is always wrong. There's no place for inciting hatreds within our Australia society'," he said

Senator Brandis said on Tuesday the proposed amendments to the Act could be changed and he was "very open to other suggestions".

"I am acutely aware of the importance that, in protecting freedom of speech, we don't send the wrong messages. I want as much community engagement as possible," he said.

However, Federal Liberal frontbencher Greg Hunt says the Attorney-General's comment has been "grossly misrepresented".

"I think Senator Brandis's point was absolutely that this is about what is criticised unrelentingly and without compromise, and what is made a criminal activity," he said.

Topics: laws, federal---state-issues, states-and-territories, race-relations, sydney-2000

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