The plan has been condemned by National MP Simon Bridges as Orwellian and by ACT s David Seymour as a huge win for cancel culture .
Bridges, in the house, asked Justice Minister Kris Faafoi at what point insulting or offensive views could land someone in court. Would an off colour joke about say Israel Folau, a Christian, or Laurel Hubbard, a member of the transgender community, under his proposals potentially see someone penalised civilly or criminally in court with huge consequences for them? Bridges asked.
Faafoi said the bar defining what constituted hate speech would be set high. The language of hatred and of course for violence that we propose would catch only extreme speech, Faafoi said.
Hate speech laws: ACT, National say proposals a divisive overreach
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The slipperiness of hate speech
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