Higher Threshold for Offensive Behaviour Based on Attributes
Anti-Discrimination Amendment Bill 2025
Topics
anti-discrimination educational institutions employment discrimination freedom of religion freedom of speech hate speech human rights
Introduced by: The Hon Marie-Clare Boothby MLA (CLP)
Links to official parliament websites
Effects of this bill
If this bill passes, it means that:
The Debate
What different members said when this bill was debated:
“Madam Speaker, I present a Bill titled the Anti-Discrimination Amendment Bill 2025, Serial 28, and table the explanatory statement. I move that the Bill be now read a first time. This Bill is about restoring fairness, clarity and common sense to the Northern Territory’s anti-discrimination laws.”
Chanston Paech ALP
“Madam Speaker, under Standing Order 252, I move that so much of the standing orders be suspended that will prevent me moving a motion to refer the Anti-Discrimination Amendment Bill 2025, Serial 28, to the Legislative Scrutiny Committee. The Attorney-General has brought forward the Northern Territory’s Anti-Discrimination Bill amendments.”
“Madam Speaker, I do not intend to talk for too long, but this is an important Bill. I recognise, as most people in here do, that there are legitimately different views on this Bill. That is acceptable. We are a democracy; some people think one way and other people think another way.”
Matthew Kerle CLP
“Madam Speaker, I support this Bill. I would love to speak about how important it is to protect freedom of speech so that people can engage in robust debates without fear of being hauled through processes and potentially hauled before the courts for their speech, as we are seeing happen in the UK for people who made silly posts on social media, but I will not speak about that today.”
Dheran Young ALP
“Mr Deputy Speaker, along with my Territory Labor colleagues I will not support the Anti-Discrimination Amendment Bill 2025. To be blunt and honest, this is a sad day for the Northern Territory. Those opposite have chosen to go down the path of implementing amendments, particularly to section 20A of the Act, that are regressive and unnecessary.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, I understand that there are changes to this law that are significant but that it does not revert to the laws from 2022. Instead, this Bill brings changes to Labor’s amendment, watering down protections that were created in 2022. Section 20A currently prohibits conduct in a public place that is likely to offend, insult or humiliate a person or people because of an attribute.”
Manuel Brown ALP
“Madam Speaker, the government has brought forward amendments to the Anti-Discrimination Act 1992 with two key changes. First, it is amending section 20A which was introduced by Labor’s 2023 reforms.”
Selena Uibo ALP
“Madam Speaker, in the Territory we proudly celebrate our diversity and inclusiveness. These are incredibly precious qualities that should be protected at all costs. We believe every Territorian deserve to live free from discrimination, harassment and persecution. It is un-Territorian to criticise or vilify someone because of their colour, race, gender, sexuality, age or disability.”
Jo Hersey CLP
“Madam Speaker, I pick up on some of the Opposition Leader’s comments. First of all, I was pretty sure I heard--what a disgrace she was--her referring to the Chief Minister as a Nazi. Talk about offensive! It is extremely offensive that she uses that language in here under her privilege or whatever she wants to do.”
“Madam Speaker, I support this Bill. I preface my remarks by observing that generally speaking the commentary on this Bill in the lead-up to this debate has been measured and thoughtful. I say that it has been `reasonably measured’ because, as always, the conversation has at times be countered by the extremes of argument. This Bill should not have come as a surprise to Territorians.”