Forum on race speech

A COMMUNITY forum to discuss proposed changes to the Racial Discrimination Act that critics say strips away protections against racial hate speech will be held in Dandenong on Wednesday.
Isaacs MP and Shadow Federal Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus has organised the “town-hall style meeting”, inviting migrant and community groups.
It is thought to be so far the only meeting of its sort on the issue in Victoria.
“No doubt many members of your community are worried about what these changes might mean for them, or uncertain about the exact nature of the government’s proposal,” Mr Dreyfus wrote in an open invitation letter.
“Despite the importance of this issue to communities across Australia, the government is not organising any public hearings, consultations, or information sessions, and has allowed only a few weeks for submissions.
“It is crucial that we have a well-informed, transparent public debate about this important issue.”
He will be joined on stage at the meeting by lawyer and Human Rights Law Centre executive director Hugh de Kretser.
The rally is at Greater Dandenong Civic Centre, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong on Wednesday, 7pm. RSVP: 9769 1955 or mark.dreyfus.mp@aph.gov.au by Tuesday.