The Australian Greens have confirmed their support for the Criminal Code Amendment (Hate Crimes) Bill, recognising it as a step in strengthening protections for vulnerable and targeted communities.
The Greens will move amendments recommended in the Bill's Senate Inquiry Report, including adding disability as a protected attribute in hate symbols offences, extending protections to associates of protected groups, and updating language around gender and sexuality.
Lines attributed to Senator Mehreen Faruqi, Deputy Leader of the Australian Greens and Spokesperson for Anti-racism:
"The Greens will support Labor's Hate Crimes Bill as it ensures stronger protections for vulnerable and targeted groups. It is a considered piece of legislation which is a step towards combating hate.
"We will move amendments proposed in the Bill Senate Inquiry Report to include disability as a protected attribute in hate symbols offences and to extend protections for associates of protected groups, as well as to update language around gender and sexuality.
"We will consider our position in relation to amendments moved by other parties.
"The Greens will continue to call for a national Human Rights Act, for the government to urgently and fully fund the implementation of the National Anti-Racism Framework to tackle all forms of racism, and for investment in responses to hate that are grassroots and community-led."
