Aboriginal Law Bulletin --- "Speaking Out" [1985] AboriginalLawB 71; (1985) 1(16) Aboriginal Law Bulletin 14

• Speaking Out

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Speaking Out

The following article is an edited version of a story that was presented in Tribune (25.9.85, p. 13). It is the result of an interview by Maike Lef with Eve Fesl, who lectures at Monash University's Aboriginal Research Centre.

My particular concern at the moment is the Racial Anti-Discrimination Act 1985. A draft is now available which Attomey-General Lionel Bowen is about to present to parliament.

I am concerned that this draft does not include provisions with penalties for incitement to racism and a clause imposing penalties for racist defamation. Unless these clauses are inserted into the act, it will be virtually useless.

Australia also must ratify Article Four of the UN Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. That convention also coversthose two aspects. Only then can we call ourselves a truly multiracial society with equal opportunities for all.

Such legislation does exist in other countries - especially in Europe (east and west). Incitement to racism and racial defamation should be banned and legal channels must be provided through which people can appeal.

The activities of certain groups claiming to protect morals, or some such line, depend on racism for their own ends - be it power, kudos or money.

They propagate lies and fears in the community. Both black and white people in Australia are victims because, once racial haired divides us, we will both lose out and the winner is a small elite.

It is particularly hard forAbodginal groups, being a minority, as well as less powerful economically, to counteract the lies that are being spread.

I'd like to refer especially to the type of advertising by Western Mining during 1984 and 85 in order to divide the community and coerce the politicians to give them carte blanche accessto Australian resources.

There has been an increase of lies and misrepresentation in Victoria as well. The Land Rights Bill was supposed to have been passed this year but the Aboriginal people and the Right Wing groups were both opposed to it The Aboriginal people were against it because it would have given us nothing.

In some Victorian rural areas, very vicious campaigns have been run, where Aboriginal children became too frightened to go to school. Obviously, white children brought racist attitudes to school, attitudes which they had heard from their parents.

It is therefore necessaryto include the two clauses, previously mentioned, in the Racial Discrimination Bill to prevent negative attitudes developing. This is in the interest of both white and black Australians. The clauses could affect the lies and racist propaganda which has already been spread.

People should contact the Aitomey-General's office, local representatives, members of Federal Cabinet, and even members of the Opposition opposed to the incitement and perpetration of racial conflict.