Lack of clarity in new hate speech laws impacting artists, arts bodies warn

The National Association for the Visual Arts and the Australian Cartoonists Association have expressed concerns over 'hastily introduced' new hate speech laws in Queensland.
Image: Marcin Sajur on Unsplash.

Brisbane artist James Hillier (aka Nordacious) recently reported that he had been contacted by Queensland police and compelled to remove artworks from his website under new Queensland hate speech laws introduced earlier this month.

‘These laws carry a maximum penalty of two years imprisonment. I have removed those listings while I seek legal advice,’ Hillier announced on Instagram.

Unlock Padlock Icon

Unlock this content?

Access this content and more

Richard Watts OAM is ArtsHub's National Performing Arts Editor; he also presents the weekly program SmartArts on Three Triple R FM. Richard is a life member of the Melbourne Queer Film Festival, a Melbourne Fringe Festival Living Legend, and was awarded the 2019 Sidney Myer Performing Arts Awards' Facilitator's Prize in early 2020. He received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Green Room Awards Association in 2021, and a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in June 2024. Photo: Fiona Hamilton. Follow Richard on Bluesky @richardthewatts.bsky.social and Instagram @richard.l.watts