Racial Discrimination Act plans 'should be transparent'

The Human Rights Commission says there should be more transparency over plans to repeal sections of the Racial Discrimination Act.

Gillian Triggs - AAP-2.jpg
The federal Attorney General George Brandis says he will be holding private conversations with interested community leaders before introducing legislation to parliament to repeal sections of the Racial Discrimination Act.

Senator Brandis is expected to propose changes to the federal laws where they make language that offends and insults unlawful.

Responding to a question in Senate Estimates from Tasmanian Labor Senator Lisa Singh, he refused to confirm that public consultations would be held, or submissions called for, before the draft legislation is brought to parliament.

President of the Human Rights Commission, Professor Gillian Triggs, told Kristina Kukolja the Attorney General is within his rights, but being more transparent about his course of action would improve the process.



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Published 19 November 2013 6:54pm
Updated 19 November 2013 7:06pm

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