Tas Libs probed for hate

The Tasmanian Anti-Discrimination Tribunal has ordered an investigation into election material from the Liberal Party’s 2006 campaign that activists claim breaches the state’s tough incitement-to-hatred laws.

The election pamphlet, authorised by Tasmanian Liberal Party director Damien Mantach, attacked the Greens’ equal marriage policy as socially destructive.

Speaking to The Australian, Mantach reaffirmed his party’s opposition to people of the same sex having the right to marry as normal, heterosexual couples can.

He also rejected claims the material overstepped the provisions within the Anti-Discrimination Act, and said it was important to note the pamphlet attacked the Greens’ policy rather than same-sex couples directly.

But Tasmanian Greens deputy leader Nick McKim said it was time for the Liberal Party to decide if it wanted to be a fundamentalist organisation which relies on vilifying minority groups, or a compassionate political party with relevance in the 21st century.

Vilification of already marginalised and vulnerable groups was precisely what Tasmania’s incitement-to-hatred laws were designed to prevent, activist Martine Delaney told Sydney Star Observer.

She denied activists were attacking freedom of political expression.

I’m not against freedom of political expression -“ as an activist I need that right to exist -“ but with that right they have a responsibility to not spout hate against already marginalised groups, Delaney said.

With every individual right comes a social responsibility, and the people who placed the offending ads ignored that responsibility.

Anti-Discrimination commissioner Sarah Bolt initially declined the complaint while accepting a similar complaint brought by Delaney against Exclusive Brethren sect member Roger Unwin for claiming in a newspaper ad that granting transgender rights would ruin families and society.

The Tribunal’s decision means that Bolt will investigate, possibly for up to six months, whether the Liberal Party pamphlet was a breach of the Act and, if it was, make recommendations including conciliation or referral for a full inquiry before the Tribunal.

I don’t hold out much hope for conciliation with the Liberal Party, but I am looking for an apology, a very public one, Delaney said.