Media release - NT Anti-Discrimination law changes regress protections under the guise of balance

Media Release – 30 July 2025

NT Anti-Discrimination law changes regress protections under the guise of balance

The Northern Territory Anti-Discrimination Commission has raised concerns about the NT Government’s proposed amendments to the Anti-Discrimination Act 1992, describing the changes as a regressive dismantling of hard-won protections under the false banner of “restoring balance”. It politicises the rights of some Territorians while elevating others and risks embedding discrimination at the heart of our law.

Anti-Discrimination Commissioner Jeswynn Yogaratnam said:

“The Commission is disappointed, but not surprised, that the Government has chosen to roll back protections that took decades to build. These amendments do not restore balance, they strip away rights and undermine the very purpose of anti-discrimination law – equality of opportunity.”

“The Act is beneficial legislation. It exists to protect the marginalised, uphold fairness and set the standard for equality. These changes instead preference particular groups and misinform them about how anti-discrimination law actually works, embedding division and legitimising discrimination.”

On the reinstatement of religious educational institution exemptions, Commissioner Yogaratnam said:

“Although the reintroduction of religious exemptions is now limited to the grounds of religious belief and activity, it makes it possible for preferential hiring of all employees including gardeners, cleaners, and grounds people on the basis of their religious beliefs. This includes communities where there is only one local school" 

“Section 35 already balances religious freedom with equality in a proportionate way. Reintroducing religious exemptions is unnecessary and symbolically harmful."

On the rollback of vilification protections, Commissioner Yogaratnam added:

“I acknowledge that the Government have compromised on this provision and rather than repealing the section altogether they have made the threshold much higher. However, these changes are not about protecting free speech, or reducing the Commission's workload, they are about creating carve-outs that could enable hate speech.  Weakening vilification laws at a time of rising antisemitism, Islamophobia and racial hate sends the wrong message about whose safety the law values."

The Commission has formally advised the Government to base any reforms on evidence, human rights standards and genuine consultation.

Media contact: antidiscrimination@nt.gov.au