Peter Gutwein must stand up to Scott Morrison and fight his attempt to kill off the protections Tasmanians have against hate speech and discrimination.
Shadow Attorney General Ella Haddad said proposed Federal religious freedom laws would override existing Tasmanian laws that provide the strongest protections in the country.
“Twenty-one years ago, Tasmania’s Labor Government introduced the most progressive anti-discrimination laws in the country, and they remain nation leading today.
“Our laws protect people from discrimination or hate speech based on a range of attributes: race, sex, age, gender, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, political belief and – importantly – religious belief.
“Scott Morrison says he wants to protect people from being discriminated against because of their religion.
“People of faith in Tasmania already have protection against discrimination or hate speech.
“They enjoy the same protection as all other Tasmanians, and have the same responsibility as all other Tasmanians to not discriminate or incite hatred against others.”
Ms Haddad said Tasmanians have the most to lose if the laws are passed.
“The draft laws single out Tasmania’s legislation and would override our legislation. It’s a blatant attack on state’s rights.
“Peter Gutwein must stand up for Tasmania’s right to make and defend our own laws. If he doesn’t, he will pave the way for the federal parliament to ride roughshod over all Tasmanian laws.”
Ms Haddad has lodged a submission on behalf of Tasmanian Labor on the second exposure drafts of the , calling on the Federal Government to reconsider the proposed legislation in favour of a Tasmanian style Act.
Ella Haddad
Shadow Attorney General
