Victoria – Review of ‘hate crime’ laws
Salt Shakers E-News – Helping Christians Make A Difference
‘Hate crimes’ are under review in Victoria. If what is being proposed in one of the review documents is introduced into legislation, it will mean even MORE RESTRICTIONS on the freedom of speech.
In fact, if you OFFEND or INSULT a homosexual you could be hauled before the Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission – and with their NEW POWERS, the EOHRC could launch their own investigation into behaviour they think ‘offends’ someone! Churches and Christians will be under even more threat if this is put into legislation!
Last year Victoria’s Attorney-General Rob Hulls initiated changes to the Sentencing Act regarding the sentencing of hate crimes. The amendment requires a sentencing court to have regard to whether an offence was motivated (wholly or partially) by hatred of, or prejudice against, a group of people with common characteristics with which the victim was associated or with which the offender believed the victim was associated.
But that isn’t enough for Mr Hulls.
Mr Hulls has asked Hon Geoffrey Eames, a retired Supreme Court judge, to conduct a review of ‘Identity Motivated Hate Crime’ in Victoria to “determine whether current hate crime laws are adequate”. They are considering whether ‘hate crimes’ should be a specific part of the criminal law. (more…)















