
The Australian Human Rights Commission has accepted a group legal action against Peter Dutton under Australia’s Racial Discrimination Act, accusing him of discrimination and inciting racial hatred. Kim Wingerei with the update.
The complaint by a group of 10 complainants was lodged last November and covers “25 individual incidents where Mr Dutton had engaged in racial hatred and discrimination,” according to Principal solicitor Moustafa Kheir of Birchgrove Legal, representing the group.
The complainants include Jewish Professor Peter Slezak and Palestinian-Australian Nasser Mashni.
In a statement, Kheir says, “My clients are gravely concerned that someone who could very well be the next Prime Minister of Australia not only holds such racist and xenophobic views but publicises those views nationally, inciting others to engage in the same rhetoric and discrimination. In the current international legal climate where Australia’s obligations are clear,
these relentless attacks on human rights go well beyond reasonable discourse,
and my clients are demanding better from our national leaders.”
The Australian Human Rights Act gives the Commission’s President the power to investigate and attempt to conciliate complaints alleging unlawful discrimination.
Among the 25 incidents, the key allegations against Mr Dutton include:
- Misleading Claims About Palestinian Nakba survivors seeking refuge in Australia: In August 2024, Dutton claimed the Australian Government was jeopardising national security by granting almost 3,000 tourist visas to people from Gaza, which he labelled a “terrorist-controlled” zone.
- False Claims and Propaganda: Dutton is accused of amplifying discredited far-right claims, including false Israeli propaganda about beheaded babies, and repeating debunked stories about Australian protesters.
- Encouraging Violence and Deportation: The legal action highlights Dutton’s calls for “no restraint” in Israel’s military actions against civilians in Gaza and deporting pro-Palestinian protesters from Australia.
- Disparaging Muslim Candidates: Mr Dutton comments about Muslim candidates in federal parliament being a “disaster.”
- Atrocity Denial: Dutton is accused of engaging in ‘atrocity denial’ by failing to acknowledge Israel’s disproportionate killing of civilians and unlawful occupation of Palestinian territory.
- Advocacy against protection from international crimes: Labelling recognition of Palestinian rights, including in international courts, as Antisemitism and moral inversion, which harms both Palestinians and Jews in Australia.
The next stage in the AHRC process is normally a conciliation meeting between the parties.
MWM has contacted Peter Dutton and asked for any comments and if he intends to attend a conciliation meeting.
Peter Dutton could face legal action for racial discrimination