Don't miss this public panel on Australia's Hate Laws and encroachment on Civil Liberties with legal expert panellist: Greg Barns SC, Sarah Ibrahim, Nick Hanna, Rita Jabri Markwell, and Timothy Roberts, co-hosted by Noura Mansour from Democracy in Colour, and Jamal Hakim from the Australian Arab Institute for Culture and Ideas.

Australia’s Hate Laws and Civil Liberties: Community Preparedness in a Shifting Legal Landscape

Communities across Australia are increasingly navigating complex debates around hate speech, vilification laws, protest rights and civil liberties. Recent legal developments have raised important questions about how Australia balances protections against hate with fundamental democratic freedoms such as expression, protest and public participation.

For many communities of colour, these debates are not abstract. They shape how communities participate in public life, organise, speak out, and advocate for justice.

Hosted by the Australian Arab Institute for Culture and Ideas in partnership with Democracy in Colour, this public forum brings together leading legal experts to unpack the current legal framework and its real-world implications. The panel will explore how hate and vilification laws operate in Australia today, how they intersect with civil liberties, and what individuals and community organisations should understand in order to navigate this evolving legal environment.

The discussion will address key questions including:

• What do Australia’s current hate and vilification laws actually say?
• How do these laws interact with freedom of speech and protest rights?
• Are communities of colour disproportionately affected by the way these laws are enforced?
• What should community leaders, organisers, artists and institutions know about their legal rights and responsibilities?
• How can communities prepare while continuing to participate confidently in public life?

As a cultural institution dedicated to advancing knowledge, dialogue and civic participation, the Arab Institute convenes forums that strengthen legal literacy and encourage informed, constructive public conversation.

The evening will feature a moderated panel discussion followed by audience questions.

The panel will be moderated by Noura Mansour, National Director at Democracy in Colour, and Jamal Hakim, Executive Officer at the Australian Arab Institute for Culture and Ideas.

Note: This event is designed as an educational and community-facing panel discussion. It is not legal advice, but an opportunity to build shared understanding, legal literacy and informed public discussion.

Event Details

Date: Monday 30 March 2026
Time: 6:00pm – 7:30pm (AEDT Melbourne/Sydney time)
Format: Panel discussion followed by audience Q&A

This event is open to community members, students, activists, artists and anyone interested in understanding how Australia’s legal landscape around hate speech and civil liberties is evolving.

Contact the host of Australia’s Hate Laws and Civil Liberties: Community Preparedness in a Shifting Legal Landscape

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