Changes to state’s Anti-Discrimination Act likely to stall

CHANGES to Tasmania’s Anti-Discrimination Act could be put on the backburner in the Legislative Council.

CHANGES to Tasmania’s Anti-Discrimination Act could be put on the backburner in the Legislative Council, with an independent MP seeking to send the Bill off to a committee.

Legislation that passed the House of Assembly last month provides exemptions for people to discuss issues including the same-sex marriage debate if those views are an expression of religious beliefs.

The State Government has pushed ahead with changes despite significant backlash, arguing there is a need to strike a better balance between free speech and protection from discrimination.

Ruth Forrest says groups from both sides of the debate had pointed out flaws in the Government’s approach to the changes. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

However, when the Legislative Council resumes today Murchison MLC Ruth Forrest will move to establish a committee to further scrutinise the Bill.

Ms Forrest said MLCs had received significant representation from stakeholders unhappy about the State Government’s brief consultation process.

She said groups from both sides of the debate had pointed out flaws in the Government’s approach.

“To me it’s pretty clear there needs to be some more work done on this one,” she said.

Independents Rosemary Armitage, Kerry Finch, Mike Gaffney and Rob Valentine indicated they would support Ms Forrest’s motion, while others said they would listen to debate before making a decision.

Apsley MLC Tania Rattray and Rumney MLC Tony Mulder said potential changes to the federal Anti-Discrimination Act should be taken into consideration before any state changes were implemented.

Attorney-General Vanessa Goodwin said the State Government stood by the changes.

“Our intention is to ensure the Act strikes the right balance between providing protection from discrimination and unlawful conduct, while still allowing for genuine public debate and discussion on important issues,” she said.

“The proposed changes merely provide for the same freedom of speech rights for religious purposes as currently exist for artistic, academic, and scientific purposes.

“We have introduced a Bill that seeks to ensure that balance is achieved, and we look forward to the discussion tomorrow in the Legislative Council.”

Opposition to the changes continued over the weekend, with 40 high profile Tasmanians lending their names to full page newspaper ads arguing for the Act to be left as is.

Originally published as Changes to state’s Anti-Discrimination Act likely to stall