A group legal action has been accepted against Opposition Leader Peter Dutton under
Australia’s Racial Discrimination Act, accusing him of discrimination and inciting racial hatred.
Represented by Sydney-based law firm Birchgrove Legal, a group of 10 complainants, including
Jewish Professor Peter Slezak and Palestinian-Australian Nasser Mashni, made the complaint
with the Australian Human Rights Commission alleging discrimination on the grounds of race,
descent, national and ethnic origin, and racial hatred under the Racial Discrimination Act
1975 (Cth) (RDA).
Principal solicitor Moustafa Kheir said the complaint referenced 25 individual incidents where
Mr. Dutton had engaged in racial hatred and discrimination.
“Among the allegations Mr. Dutton has been accused of includes the endangerment of
Australian Jewish people through the deliberate conflation of the State of Israel with Jewish
identity, which has seen a rise in Antisemitism,” Mr. Kheir said.
“Further, in a Chanukah message in December 2024, Mr. Dutton condemned the International
Criminal Court as being engaged in a “sordid moral inversion” for attempting to uphold
international criminal law to protect Palestinians.
“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.
ENDS
MEDIA CONTACT:
info@birchgrovelegal.com.au
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