NSW Senator files racism complaint against journalist over 'angry white male' comments
Senator David Leyonhjelm has lodged a complaint under racial discrimination laws, claiming he was publicly abused as an “angry white male” by a journalist.
Leyonhjelm, a NSW Liberal Democrat, took action against a Fairfax journalist for what he alleges were comments that were insulting to white men.
It’s the first complaint of its kind before the Human Rights Commission, under section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act.
Under Section 18C, it’s unlawful to commit an act which would reasonably offend or insult someone due to their race, colour, national or ethnic origin.
The complaint was filed last week, following an article published by Fairfax, where Mr Leyonhjelm was referred to as “boorish and gormless as a result of being an angry white male,” The Daily Telegraph reports.
The report criticised Mr Leyonhjelm for his views on free speech and his campaign to repeal Section 18C.
The senator is understood to have filed the complaint under the provisions he wishes to abolish, in an attempt to prove what he claims to be an absurdity of the law.
The Daily Telegraph reports Mr Leyonhjelm felt the case would be a test for the Human Rights Commission.
“My colour was one of the reasons the comments were made,” his complaint reportedly stated.
“Other characteristics referred to in the article include being a boorish supercilious know-all with the empathy of a Besser-Block, hate speech apologist, wacky, a self-promoting misanthrope and a practitioner of infantile reasoning.
“The comments are reasonably likely in all the circumstances to offend or insult some white males. My colour was one of the reasons the comments were made.”
Mr Leyonhjelm told The Daily Telegraph he wasn’t offended by the article, however under under Section 18C he didn’t have to be, as the law meant the offence could be given, rather than taken.
“I choose not to be offended … (but) these are insults based on my race so it is reasonably likely that someone of my race could find it insulting,” he said.
“So long as the people at the Human Rights Commission abide by their own laws and are not racists, then the complaint should succeed.”
Last week former Prime Minister Tony Abbott admitted regret when it came to his decision to withdraw amendments to repeal 18C in 2014.
Mr Leyonhjelm plans to introduce a private members bill to repeal Section 18C, while another version of the bill will be resubmitted by Family First senator Bob Day with the removal of words “insult” and “offend”.
News break – August 15
