Leader of Opposition, Mr. Daniel Andrews addressing the multicultural media. Photo: SAT
By Neeraj Nanda
Melbourne, 05 March: The Abbott governments proposed changes to the Sec 18 (c) of the Racial Discrimination Act have come under heavy criticism from the Victorian Labour Party. Leader of Opposition, Mr. Daniel Andrews denounced the proposed changes which he said could water down the law against hate speech, racial vilification, hateful writing and preaching among others.
The Leader of Opposition was addressing media persons at a multicultural media event in the Victorian Parliament.
He said Victorian Labour was against proposed changes to the Sec 18 (c) of the Racial Discrimination Act and said the ruling Victorian government and the Liberal Party have not spoken against it. Daniel also attacked the proposed cut to funding of multicultural bodies started by the previous Labour government in Canberra.
The funding cuts, Daniel said, were targeted against the Migrant Communities Employment Fund (MCEF) and the Building Multicultural Communities Fund (BMCF) which may lose around $ 6.6 m and $ 14 m funding from the Federal government.
On a question by SAT on the threat to ABC and SBS funding, Mr. Andrews said, “He was worried about the future of the ABC and SBS.”
About Victoria, Daniel said, “I will stand up for Victoria, if anyone does anything wrong”
The Leader of Opposition expressed anguish at the rising crime in Victoria and said, “The crime rate in Victoria has gone up in three years in Victoria and that was bad news.”
– SAT News Service
