Page 5226 - Week 16 - Thursday, 28 November 1991
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ideas from it, Mr Stevenson makes it quite clear that there is such a thing as anti-white racism. It is covered too. If there really is such a problem, it is also covered; it does not matter what the race is. It is not something upon which there should be any form of prejudice upon which to hang anything, whatever the race.
So, I cannot see how he can then turn around and say, "Well, Asians have some racial hatred against whites, and Jews have some racial hatred against somebody else". It is irrelevant. What Mr Collaery's very sensible amendment does is this: It says, "We do not want that; we are doing away with that. People are entitled to live in our country and be respected as people independent of their racial background".
MR STEVENSON (12.22): Mr Moore says that I have been trying to tell people what to do on the X-rated video issue. Yet again, he fails to - - -
Dr Kinloch: Mr Deputy Speaker, I take a point of order - relevance to this clause.
MR DEPUTY SPEAKER: Yes, I would ask you to keep your comments relevant, Mr Stevenson.
MR STEVENSON: It is relevant regarding freedom of speech, Mr Deputy Speaker. People, as I have said, have told me that they want these things banned. I have worked to do that and will continue to do so.
A case against such racial laws, that Mr Collaery and some people in this Assembly would seek to introduce, was put by David Allen. He said:
From the outset I should make it clear that I am opposed to the vilification of any person on the basis of their race or ethnic origin. I am equally opposed to the silencing of racists through the use of law.
I agree entirely with both his sentiments. He continued:
If there is any paradox in this position it flows from the conflict between two supremely important human rights which are expressed in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. The latter treaty requires all signatories to take action against the incitement to racial violence, discrimination or hostility. At the same time, both treaties require respect for the fundamental right of freedom of expression.
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