NSW Council for Civil Liberties Inc.

Postal address: PO BOX A1386 SYDNEY SOUTH NSW 1235 Office address: suite 203, 105 Pitt Street SYDNEY NSW 2000 Phone: 02 8090 2952 Fax: 02 8580 4633 Email: office@nswccl.org.au Website: www.nswccl.org.au

21st November 2013

Senator the Hon George Brandis Senate Parliament House CANBERRA ACT 2600 Email: attorney@ag.gov.au

Dear Attorney, CONSULTATIONS IN RELATION TO THE RACIAL DISCRIMINATION ACT S.18C I am writing on behalf of The NSW Council for Civil Liberties, Liberty Victoria, The Queensland Council for Civil Liberties, The South Australian Council for Civil Liberties, The Australian Council for Civil Liberties and Civil Liberties Australia. We have noted your statement during the Senate Budget Estimates hearings this week describing the consultations you have begun and are continuing in relation to the proposed repeal or amendment of S.18c of the Racial Discrimination Act (1975). This is an important and, as you note, sensitive issue. We welcome your decision to consult with community leaders with an interest in the matter and your intention to include a variety of views in those consultations. Our preference, of course, would be for you to allow for community input through an open and public consultation process, but failing that more usual process, we would like to participate in the consultation regardless. We have a long standing interest in both racial discrimination and freedom of speech issues generally - and in the particular debate around this provision. As leading advocates for civil liberties and human rights in Australia, we have a significant contribution to make to these consultations and would like an opportunity for a joint delegation from our organizations to meet with you. We would be willing to come to Canberra or other place that suits your schedule.

Yours sincerely

Dr Lesley Lynch Secretary NSWCCL