The NSWCCL is concerned about the weaponisation of hatred directed towards vulnerable groups as a political tool to pass legislation which unduly restricts civil liberties. The NSWCCL strongly opposes all forms of hate directed towards vulnerable groups. However, responding to hate in the community must be evidence-based and carefully considered with reference to other fundamental freedoms that are owed to individuals.
It is the NSWCCL’s position that political speech ought to be protected except in circumstances where speech is inciting violence towards a protected group. In any healthy and functioning democracy, it is normal and natural for individuals and/or communities to disagree on political arguments and even in some instances be uncomfortable by the political position of others. Despite this discomfort, it is undemocratic to police political views for the subjective comfort of one group over another.
