RACE DISCRIMINATION – LAW AND LEGISLATION – AUSTRALIA

Repeal 18C or say farewell to free speech: think tank

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Original article by Dennis Shanahan
The Australian – Page: 2 : 13-Dec-16

The Institute of Public Affairs believes that freedom of speech is potentially threatened by section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act. The institute argues in a submission to the legal and constitutional parliamentary committee that section 18C should be removed in its entirety. The institute objected to the Human Rights Commission’s apparently excessive use of section 18C.

CORPORATES
INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS LIMITED, AUSTRALIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION, QUEENSLAND UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

Free-speech heat on Shorten

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Original article by David Crowe, Rachel Baxendale
The Australian – Page: 1 & 4 : 9-Nov-16

The joint parliamentary committee on human rights will report the findings of an inquiry into the Racial Discrimination Act by 28 February 2017. Federal cabinet opted to refer the issue to the committee, which will examine the impact of sections 18C and 18D on freedom of speech. It will also consider possible changes to the way complaints are handled by the Australian Human Rights Commission. Meanwhile, AHRC president Gillian Triggs has indicated that she is open to changes to section 18C.

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIA. JOINT PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE ON HUMAN RIGHTS, AUSTRALIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION, AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE TREASURY, LIBERAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIAN GREENS

Media baron warns Leak cartoon probe biggest threat to press freedom

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Original article by Darren Davidson
The Australian – Page: 1 : 24-Oct-16

Seven Group’s executive chairman Kerry Stokes has criticised the Australian Human Rights Commission’s investigation into a Bill Leak cartoon that was published in August 2016. He has described the investigation as the greatest threat to freedom of the press that he has seen in his long career in the media industry, and he says section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act stifles the media’s ability to fully informing the public about important issues. Stokes has also praised "The Australian" for publishing the controversial cartoon.

CORPORATES
SEVEN GROUP HOLDINGS LIMITED – ASX SVW, AUSTRALIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION, NEWS CORP AUSTRALIA PTY LTD, NEWS CORPORATION – ASX NWS, SEVEN NETWORK LIMITED, SEVEN WEST MEDIA LIMITED – ASX SWM

Censorship: editor, cartoonists attack Leak investigation

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Original article by Sharri Markson
The Australian – Page: 5 : 19-Oct-16

Mark Knight, John Spooner and Warren Brown are among the newspaper cartoonists who have defended Bill Leak and his right to free speech. He is being investigated by the Human Rights Commission over a controversial cartoon that was published in "The Australian" in August 2016. Spooner says the Leak case demonstrates the need for changes to section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act. Brett McCarthy, the editor of "The West Australian", has also expressed support for Leak.

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION, FAIRFAX MEDIA LIMITED – ASX FXJ, NEWS CORP AUSTRALIA PTY LTD, NEWS CORPORATION – ASX NWS

MP rallies media in support of Leak

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Original article by Andrew Burrell
The Australian – Page: 2 : 18-Oct-16

Federal MP Andrew Hastie has criticised the Human Rights Commission’s decision to launch an investigation into Bill Leak over a controversial cartoon that was published in August 2016. The Liberal MP has stressed the importance of freedom of expression and urged media companies and journalists to support the cartoonist. Hastie also says the Leak case could prompt renewed scrutiny of section 18C of the ­Racial Discrimination Act.

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION, LIBERAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA, FAIRFAX MEDIA LIMITED – ASX FXJ, AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION, GUARDIAN AUSTRALIA

Unhappy crossbenchers threaten IR laws

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Original article by Primrose Riordan
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 7 : 8-Aug-16

Liberal Democrat senator David Leyonhjelm has accused the Coalition of reneging on a deal to include a sunset clause in legislation to extend a ban on the importation of the Adler A110 shotgun. He says that the Coalition may now not be able to count on his support for a bill to reinstate the Australian Building & Construction Commission. Senator Leyonhjelm also intends to introduce legislation to scrap section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act, a reform which the Coalition had backed down on.

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LIBERAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY, AUSTRALIAN BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION COMMISSION, LIBERAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA, NATIONAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA