A very encouraging follow up to the Human Rights Consultation process is the address to be delivered today by the Consultations’ Chair, Frank Brennan.<\/p>\n
One of the concerns I raised at the Hobart public consultation was whether a Charter of Rights would result in the introduction of religious vilification laws as in Victoria with its consequent curtailing of free speech and social divisiveness.<\/p>\n
He (Frank Brennan) decided to speak out after people, including church leaders, turned up at consultations his team was conducting around the country to express concern “that a national charter of rights might entail a national religious vilification law similar to that in Victoria”.<\/p>\n
“The application of the Victorian religious vilification law has hindered rather than helped religious and social harmony,” he said. “These laws cannot be administered with sufficient transparency and neutrality.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
I am very encouraged that the National Human Rights Consultation is listening and responding to the public consultations. And in this particular case, I am encouraged by the response in the Chair’s address.<\/p>\n
See Cynthia Banham’s report \u2018Rights charter will not lead to vilification law, Jesuit says’<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A very encouraging follow up to the Human Rights Consultation process is the address to be delivered today by the Consultations’ Chair, Frank Brennan. One of the concerns I raised at the Hobart public consultation was whether a Charter of … Continue reading