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News Media Releases Federal Labor intends to end Free Speech
Media ReleaseFor immediate release Thursday, 23 September 2004 Federal Labor intends to end Free SpeechWhile Victoria has shown the rest of Australia in microcosm how problematic anti-vilification legislation is, most Australians would be horrified to realise how broadly the law limits free speech. Federal Labor has proposed anti free-speech legislation based on race, religion and sexuality. This type of restrictive legislation will control even the basic daily conversation between two friends. "Imagine two people talking in a café or on a train, somebody could overhear them simply conversing about an aspect of a religion or sexuality, they can then take offence and haul them off to the Equal Opportunity Commission (EOC) where the onus is then on them to prove their innocence," said Peter Stokes, CEO of Christian-based ethics group Salt Shakers. "This is the complete reversal of our democratic Western system. Normally you're innocent till proven guilty. Labor wants to make us guilty until we can prove we're innocent," Mr Stokes said. ALP policy and statements by Shadow Attorney General Nicola Roxon and Senator Ludwig clearly signal Labor's intention to introduce racial, religious and sexuality 'hate', anti-discrimination and 'vilification' laws if elected to govern Australia on October 9. The Greens and Democrats have also indicated their support for this type of legislation. "This would impose on this nation the sort of 'thought' and 'speech' legislation currently the domain of communist countries like China and North Korea, Islamic countries like Saudi Arabia and which once dominated Russia," Mr Stokes said. "We have seen the detrimental effects of these types of legislation in Victoria and NSW with cases brought by Muslims, witches and homosexuals. Previously issues like this have never proceeded to any form of litigation. Now people become entrenched in the quagmire of legal argument and vague definitions before tribunals and possibly even courts," he said. "This legislation only serves to create greater divisions between groups in society. What was intended for harmony is breeding great disharmony." South Australia's government recently rejected such legislation and has said that religious vilification legislation may not be a good idea because of what happened in Victoria. "Clearly this legislation is ideologically driven as they continue to totally ignore the detrimental effects to what has always been a nation priding itself on free speech." SALT SHAKERS Research & Information Services - a division of Salt Shakers Inc. CONTACT: Peter Stokes is available for interviews 03 9800 2855 or 0413 084 145. Media contact: |