Racial Hate Claim Aimed at Minister
Source: Herald Sun (Melbourne, Australia)
URL: http://heraldsun.news.com.au/

May 14, 2003 pg. 31

By Jeremy Kelly

For More Information Visit the Australian Macedonian Human Rights Committee

Fair Use Only

Assistant multicultural affairs minister John Pandazopoulos has been accused of breaching the racial hatred laws that he introduced in Parliament.

Comments in which the Gaming Minister allegedly described Macedonians as "Skopians" have outraged the Macedonian community.

The Australian Macedonian Human Rights Committee has referred a radio interview with Mr. Pandazopoulos, done two days before last year's election, to the Equal Opportunity Commission.

The commission will decide if Mr. Pandazopoulos has a case to answer.

In a letter, the group says it was disgusted to hear Mr. Pandazopoulos refer to "Skopians" in an interview on an SBS Greek language program.

Chairman George Vlahov said the term was devised by chauvinist Greeks in the 1990s to abuse Macedonians and deny the existence of a Macedonian identity.

"Considering the Minister's portfolio, he should be well aware of the critical importance cultural groups attach to the right of self-identification," Mr. Vlahov has told the commission. "Yet, the Minister chose to publicly and flagrantly ignore this right.

"Considering the timing of the statement, one could assume that this was an attempt to cement Greek votes by pandering to the seemingly prevalent chauvinism that exists within that community."

Mr. Vlahov has demanded the Premier, Steve Bracks, sack Mr. Pandazopoulos because use of the term was as bad as using derogatory names for Aborigines or Jews.

Mr. Bracks said the matter was before the courts. He said he was unable to say whether Mr. Pandazopoulos' legal fees would be paid by the Government.

A spokesman for Mr. Pandazopoulos, Geoff Fraser, said it would be inappropriate to comment at this stage.

The Racial and Religious Tolerance Bill set maximum penalties of six months' jail or fines of up to $6000 for intentional racial or religious hatred.