Celebrating 22 years in Legal Practice
Stay connected with Navado:

Vilification is a public act that encourages or incites others to hate a person or particular persons because of their race, nationality, country of origin, colour or ethnic origin. Vilification often involves making vicious and defamatory statements about a person or category of people. Racial vilification is a criminal offence in accordance with statute and Australia’s international agreements with the Conventions.

In NSW it is generally against the law to vilify people because of their race, colour, nationality, descent, ethnic, ethno-religious or national origin; homosexuality (lesbian or gay); HIV or AIDS status; or transgender status. This includes vilification because someone is thought to be lesbian, gay or transgender even if they are not, or thought to have HIV or AIDS, even if they don't. NSW anti-discrimination law defines vilification as a public act that could incite or encourage hatred, serious contempt or severe ridicule towards people because of the above characteristics. The vilification law only covers acts that are in public. It does not cover acts that are not public, for example abuse in a domestic setting or private arena. Racial vilification is the act of inciting or being involved in racial hatred.

Racial vilification is not permitted at law which states:  “A person shall not, by a public act, incite hatred towards, serious contempt for, or severe ridicule of, a person or group of persons on the ground of the race of the person or members of the group by means which include:  threatening physical harm towards, or towards any property of, the person or group of persons or, inciting others to threaten physical harm towards any property of, the person or group of persons”. A qualified Discrimination Lawyer may be able to assist you if you are subjected to or affected by racial vilification.

Racial hatred (sometimes referred to as vilification) is doing something in public based on the race, colour, national or ethnic origin of a person or group of people which is likely to offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate. Examples of racial hatred may include: racially offensive material on the internet, forums, blogs, social networking sites and video sharing sites. It may be racially offensive comments in the media such as in a television program, magazine, newspaper article. It may be a racially offensive publication such as a newsletter, leaflet or poster or it may be a public demonstration such as a rally or racially abusive comments in a public place.

The Discrimination Lawyers at Navado Lawyers & Solicitors have advised on Discrimination law for many years and deliver holistic and thorough advice in this area law. If you need further legal advice on your Discrimination law matter, you may book an appointment with us by telephone on (02) 9233 4048 or by email to info@navado.com.au. 

Bookmark and Share

This webpage (and any material or wording appearing on this webpage) is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute any Legal Advice. It does not take into account your objectives, your instructions or all of the relevant facts and/or circumstances. Navado accepts no responsibility to any person who relies on the information provided on this website. We further refer you to our Disclaimer.

Sorry, but no Articles are available at this time.

Sorry, but no FAQs are available at this time.

If you require assistance with a matter, you should make an appointment to see one of our Lawyers in one of the following locations:

  • Sydney

Our Locations

  • Defamation Lawyer Sydney
  • Discrimination Lawyer Sydney
  • Defamation Lawyer Parramatta
  • Discrimination Lawyer Parramatta
  • Defamation Lawyer North Sydney
  • Discrimination Lawyer North Sydney
  • Defamation Lawyer Rockdale
  • Discrimination Lawyer Rockdale
  • Defamation Lawyer Liverpool
  • Discrimination Lawyer Liverpool
  • Defamation Lawyer Gordon
  • Discrimination Lawyer Gordon
  • Defamation Lawyer Baulkham Hills
  • Discrimination Lawyer Baulkham Hills
  • Defamation Lawyer Campbelltown
  • Discrimination Lawyer Campbelltown
  • Defamation Lawyer Bondi Junction
  • Discrimination Lawyer Bondi Junction
  • Defamation Lawyer Chatswood
  • Discrimination Lawyer Chatswood
  • Defamation Lawyer Miranda
  • Discrimination Lawyer Miranda
  • Defamation Lawyer Bella Vista
  • Discrimination Lawyer Bella Vista
  • Defamation Lawyer Erina
  • Discrimination Lawyer Erina
Quick enquiry
  • Request an appointment
Stay connected
Ask an expert