A proposed overhaul of Victoria’s hate laws has provoked a backlash from church leaders and faith-based groups who fear the reforms will erode protections for religious freedom and invite discrimination against people expressing orthodox beliefs.
The Allan government is also facing opposition from women’s rights groups concerned that the proposed new laws – in which existing protections for racial and religious vilification are expanded to cover a broad range of personal attributes, including gender identity – will be weaponised by activists.
Bronwyn Winter, a spokeswoman for Australian Feminists for Women’s Rights, which campaigns for the sex-based rights of women, welcomed the inclusion of sex as a protected attribute to give women and girls legal recourse against sexualised vilification. But she said women could themselves be at risk of being criminalised if they defended sex-based rights at the expense of trans rights.
Women’s Rights Network Australia, which also campaigns for women’s sex-based rights, was more blunt in its submission to the government about the law changes: “We believe that if this Bill passes, it will be weaponised by trans activists against women.”
Symes said the reform legislation would be introduced in the next sitting week of parliament beginning November 26.
Source: Victoria anti-vilification laws: Allan government faces showdown with faith groups
There is a current inquiry into the Federal Hate Crimes Act that will similarly expand the target groups. Interestingly, it includes gender and sex. It is unclear how conflicts will be resolved.