Banks MP David Coleman is urging the community to have its say on the proposed changes to the Racial Discrimination Act.
Mr Coleman said he would tell his colleagues that he was not completely happy with the proposals.
‘‘I have had many conversations in recent weeks with members of the Banks community about potential changes to the Act,’’ he said.
‘‘This is a very important issue which touches on two critical principles: the right to free speech and the right to not be subjected to discrimination on the basis of race.
‘‘The federal government has released an exposure draft of legislation which attempts to strike the balance between free speech and protection from racial discrimination.
‘‘In my view, the exposure draft does not achieve this balance and needs to be amended to provide greater protection against racial discrimination.
I will be conveying this view to my colleagues.’’
Interested readers should send a submission to s18cconsultation@ag.gov.au
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