What is Racial Hatred?

Racial hatred happens when a person is abused or put down because of their race.

In Australia certain types of racially offensive behaviour are against the law and in 1995 the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 was changed to allow people to complain about racial hatred.

The law affects any public behaviour including speaking, singing, making gestures, drawings and written publications.

Some racially offensive behaviour is allowed by this law including some artistic work and academic or political debate, providing the behaviour is done reasonably and in good faith. These are called exemptions.

This law applies to the Internet.