Nexus - 0213 - New Times Magazine-pages

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... GLOBAL NEWS... NEWS could become an instant criminal. “And it appears this law is almost working-class specific - intellectuals, academics and artists are exempt." This law is based on one report only - by the Federal Race Discrimination Commissioner, Ms Irene Moss. Guess who will obtain the powers of « a federal court judge if this law gets through? Ms Moss, whose report gave less than five pages to inter-ethnic racial violence, contends that racism is pre- dominantly perpetrated by white, native-born Australians (male, of course). That Australia happens to be one of the most warm-hearted, non-racist nations on earth - an historical fact - is apparently lost on Ms Moss. That she has aired her views publicly, by “words, images and writings", could perhaps see her silenced and maybe prosecuted by her own laws. As a great man once said, "I may dis- approve of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” Have your say, contact the Principal Counsel, Human Rights Branch, Attomey General's Department, Robert Garran Offices, Barton, ACT 2600. (Source: "Working Class Man", by David Hampson, Sunday-Herald, January '93) These comments were taken from David Hampson's column in The Sunday Herald, on 17 January 1993. As is further pointed out, several small advertisements appeared in the papers in early January, headed “Racial Vilification”. CELLULAR PHONE USERS RISK CANCER? Two cellular phone users in Chicago have filed a class action suit against Motorola Inc. and Mitsubishi Electronic Corporation, accusing the companies of failing to explore the dan- gers posed by their products in bringing them to market. A Florida man filed suit in early February claiming a cellular phone caused his wife's terminal brain cancer. The suits charge that radio-waves emitted by the instruments could have harmful biological effects. Tests of radio waves at lower and higher frequencies than those emitted by cellular phones, have indicated a breakdown of the calcium that coats cell walls and which transmits hormon- al messages between cell walls, and have also resulted in abnormal growth of human cells. The suit also notes the government is considering whether to reduce the wattage allowed for cellular devices that operate in the 900 megahertz range. (Source: The Australian, 4 Feb '93) The ads invited anyone wishing to comment on the legislation to obtain a copy by phoning (06) 250 6737. Public comments were to be made by February. This law defines racial vilification as “the publication, public expression or promotion of opinions which may incite hatred, serious contempt or severe ridicule on the grounds of race, colour, national or ethnic origin". Penalty is up to two years in jail. Racism includes "any act by which words, sounds, images or writings are communicated to the public, including the display or distribution of docu- ments, or the broadcasting, telecasting, screening or playing of any kind of material; or any conduct that is seen by the public, including gestures or the wearing or display of clothing, signs, flags, emblems or insignia”. “Under this law, newspapers, radio and TV would be history. Anyone waving Australian (or West Indian or Pakistani) flags at cricket matches THOUGHT CRIMES NOW IN AUSTRALIA "No messing about. This is serious. The Thought Police have indeed been active. Their timing here is more than suspicious. It borders on the devious, if not the sinister. "At 8.01 pm, on 16 December, the last day of the parliamentary sitting year, one of the most insidious pieces of legislation ever seen in this country was quietly slipped into Federal Parliament. "Known as the Racial Discrimination Legislation Amendment Bill 1992, it hopes to jail us, and our children, for writing, speaking, making gestures, or wearing T-shirts that might perhaps be considered racially offensive. "The reason given for introducing this bill at such a time was so that it ‘could invite public comment over the summer break’. Yes, you heard right, over the summer break; when most people are away from work, relaxing at home, or in some way out of touch." Vol 2, No 13 - 1993 8eNEXUS