COTSIS CONDEMNS TURNBULL GOVERNMENT

23 March 2017

Sophie Cotsis, Shadow Minister for Multiculturalism, today condemned the Turnbull Government for approving changes to Section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act.  

The Turnbull government has announced proposed changes to Section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act: the law that makes it unlawful to engage in acts that are reasonably likely to “offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate” someone because of their race or ethnicity.

This action will further isolate and marginalise so many multicultural communities across NSW.

Ms Cotsis has written to the NSW Minister for Multiculturalism, The Hon Ray Williams MP, imploring him to stand up for the millions of Australians from ethnically-diverse backgrounds across NSW and to condemn the actions of his Federal Coalition colleagues as well.

Ms Cotsis will be co-hosting a Walk for Respect March to oppose any changes to Section 18C at 5:30PM on March 31st in Parry Park, Lakemba.

Show your opposition to these changes and join Sophie Cotsis on March 31st to walk for respect.

Quotes attributable to Shadow Minister for Multiculturalism Sophie Cotsis

“What forms of racial speech does the Federal Coalition want people to be able to say, that they cannot say right now?

“I, along with millions of people across New South Wales, stand with those communities today, stand alongside people, who have to overcome so many barriers because of their ethnic background.

“Using free speech as a guise to give racial hate speech and vilification free reign in this country is totally unacceptable.

“This Federal Coalition Government has made a statement, that racial hate speech is acceptable.

“NSW Labor will fight these changes and will not stand for the Federal Coalition Government giving the green light for racial hate speech.”