What is the Racial and Religious Tolerance Act?
The Racial and Religious Tolerance Act took effect on 1 January 2002 and prohibits behaviour that incites or encourages hatred, serious contempt, revulsion or severe ridicule against another person or group of people because of their race and/or religion. The Act deals with public behaviour not personal beliefs, and makes it against the law to make racist comments in a publication including Internet and email, statements at a meeting or at a public rally. It also against the law to write racist graffiti, display racist posters or stickers and engage in racist or vilifying abuse in a public place.
