Paul Fletcher, Australia’s recently appointed minister for communications, cyber safety and the arts, says he wants to make the internet safe for everyone.
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Racism online is hurtful and damaging. But it can also spill into the real world with deadly consequences – such as the Christchurch terrorism attack.
High-profile conservatives such as former PM Tony Abbott and commentator Alan Jones often complain that freedom of speech is being stifled, but the research does not support that view.
AAP/David Moir
While some complaint that anti-discrimination laws stifle freedom of speech, there is good evidence that they make a more harmonious, safe and equal society.
Community leaders will play a very important role in whipping votes for or against in the same-sex marriage plebiscite.
AAP/Alan Porritt
The fate of the government’s push on Section 18C was a mixed bag, without surprises. The week’s most critical issue is the company tax cuts package, which is still in play.
Changes to Section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act unveiled this week look set for defeat in the Senate. But the issue will continue to breathe life.
The Turnbull government’s objectives in seeking to change Section 18C are unclear.
AAP/Lukas Coch
Malcolm Turnbull is now, it seems, wholly owned by the conservatives in the Liberal Party and their strident media allies. His capitulation to them over 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act has been as…
There is concern among some Liberals that the 18C issue will lose them votes in seats with large ethnic communities.
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The government’s multicultural statement stays fairly much in the place where rhetoric around the issue has been located for the past generation – social control and integration.
Peter Dutton casts himself as championing freedom of speech.
Dean Lewins/AAP
Peter Dutton has advised Alan Joyce and other business executives who have written to Malcolm Turnbull urging action on same-sex marriage to “stick to their knitting”. It’s advice some in the government…
Federal parliament should leave section 18C untouched.
AAP/Lukas Coch
Malcolm Turnbull had hoped that throwing the controversial Section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act to a parliamentary inquiry would help resolve an issue that has become totemic for conservatives…
Neither Galaxy Research nor the Institute of Public Affairs think-tank discussed the most interesting data they garnered from polling on free speech and reform to Section 18C.
Brexit, Trump, terrorism, 18C, safe schools, the gay marriage plebiscite, a government with a wafer-thin majority and a fractious Senate: it has been quite a year in politics.
The historic East Melbourne synagogue.
Flickr: Rexness
A minor change, substituting ‘vilify’ for ‘offend’ and ‘insult’, would bring Section 18C more in line with similar laws in other democracies without undermining its effectiveness.
What critics call the ‘elite media’ is actually journalism that serves the public interest.
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Australia was designed at Federation to ensure nationals of British descent would be able to create a society populated by individuals as much like themselves as possible.