The Racial Discrimination Act: a 1970s perspective

Sarah Joseph

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference PaperOther

Abstract

The Racial Discrimination Bill was originally introduced in the first term of the Whitlam government by the then Attorney General, Senator Lionel Murphy. It lapsed with the 1974 election. It was reintroduced in the next Parliament by the new Attorney General, the late Kep Enderby.
How was the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth) viewed in the Parliamentary debates preceding its adoption? One must remember this was unprecedented legislation, the first statute which implemented Australia’s international human rights obligations.1 A number of interesting themes arose in the 1975 debates.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationPerspectives on the Racial Discrimination Act
Subtitle of host publicationPapers from the 40 Years of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth) Conference
Place of PublicationSydney NSW Australia
PublisherAustralian Human Rights Commission
Pages32-39
Number of pages8
Publication statusPublished - 2015
EventRDA@40 Conference 2015: 40 Years of the Racial Discrimination Act - Australian Human Rights Commission, Sydney, Australia
Duration: 19 Feb 201520 Feb 2015
https://www.humanrights.gov.au/our-work/race-discrimination/projects/rda40-conference-2015-40-years-racial-discrimination-act

Conference

ConferenceRDA@40 Conference 2015
Country/TerritoryAustralia
CitySydney
Period19/02/1520/02/15
Internet address

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