Victoria’s rich cultural diversity is one of our state’s greatest strengths. Racism and discrimination of all kinds is unacceptable – because all Victorians deserve to feel safe and included in our community.
The Government acknowledges the significant harm caused by hate crime and vilification on multicultural and multifaith communities – that’s why we are addressing racism, hate speech and hate conduct in Victoria through our anti-vilification reforms.
Public consultations on civil and criminal protections are currently open and due to close in October via the Engage Vic website: www.engage.vic.gov.au/anti-vilification.
Nina Taylor, Parliamentary Secretary for Justice said,“We are keen to hear from Victoria’s diverse communities to make sure these reforms are responsive to the harm caused by hate conduct and vilification.”
“While we would prefer that making these laws would not be necessary, this Government will always take action to tackle racism, hate speech and hate conduct head-on – because all Victorians deserve to feel accepted, safe and included.”
Nathan Lambert, Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs said, “It was Labor governments who introduced the Racial Discrimination Act in 1975 and Racial and Religious Tolerance Act in 2001. But we know the job is not done. That’s why we are strengthening the legislative protections against vilification and developing our nation-leading Anti-Racism Strategy.”
