The Racial Hatred Act extends the Racial Discrimination Act (RDA) to allow people to complain about offensive or abusive behaviour based on racial hatred. In 1995, the Racial Hatred Act amended the RDA by adding new laws specifically dealing with racial hatred. Unlawful racially offensive behaviour can include public acts based on the race, colour, national or ethnic origins of a person or group which are likely to offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate. Some examples of unlawful offensive behaviour might include:
In order to protect freedom of speech, under the Act the following things are not unlawful if “done reasonably and in good faith”:
The aim of the Racial Hatred Act is to ensure that people of all backgrounds can live a dignified and peaceful life free from racial vilification, intimidation and harassment.
For further information refer to the following websites:
State websites:
Theme: Countering racism – education, policy, legislation