Australian Capital Territory Consolidated Acts Australian Capital Territory Consolidated Acts(1) It is unlawful for a person, by a public act, to incite hatred towards, serious contempt for, or severe ridicule of, a person or group of people on the ground of any of the following characteristics of the person or members of the group:
(a) race;
(b) sexuality;
(c) transsexuality;
(d) HIV/AIDS status.
(2) This section does not make unlawful—
(a) a fair report of an act mentioned in subsection (1); or
(b) a communication or the distribution or dissemination of any matter consisting of a publication that is subject to a defence of absolute privilege in a proceeding for defamation; or
(c) a public act, done reasonably and honestly, for academic, artistic, scientific or research purposes or for other purposes in the public interest, including discussion or debate about and presentations of any matter.