Faith leaders have welcomed proposed changes to New South Wales’ anti-discrimination laws to outlaw vilification on religious grounds, as part of the work to be done to address religious freedom in the state.
The state government will introduce new legislation to parliament that prohibits vilification on the grounds of religious belief, affiliation or activity.
Making the announcement on 28 June, NSW Attorney-General Michael Daley said that no one should have to encounter public hate due to their religious beliefs.
“It is high time the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 was changed to reflect this,” he said.
“For the most part, we are a tolerant society, and we welcome people to NSW from all over the world.
“However, we need to have laws that protect people of faith from public actions that incite hatred, serious contempt for, or severe ridicule for religious beliefs.
“We committed, as an election promise, to introduce legislation making religious vilification unlawful within our first 100 days in office.
“We are here to make good on our promises and get things done by making this change to the Anti-Discrimination Act.”
NSW Minister for Multiculturalism Steve Kamper said it was “unacceptable” that some forms of vilification are on the rise.
“Members of the Jewish, Muslim, Hindu and Sikh faiths have all raised concerns about the growing levels of intolerance towards members of their communities,” he said.
Read the article by Marilyn Rodrigues in The Catholic Weekly.