Halbert was critical about the government’s plan to remove sexuality guidelines for schools – saying they were a tool to help young people, and said it needed to show the same kind of intolerance for hate crimes as it did for gangs.
Halbert said Gisborne’s mayor, iwi, police and other groups had spoken out and shown support for the rainbow community but “we’ve actually had nothing from this government”.
Minister of Justice Paul Goldsmith said vandalism was never justified, regardless of peoples’ beliefs.
Halbert said the government was working to remove hate speech laws but Goldsmith said there was no plans to remove existing protections in the law related to hate speech.
“But we opposed and will not continue Labour’s proposed hate speech laws, because they would have undermined free speech.
“I have been very clear that work on hate crimes law will proceed, as it is extremely important we make sure all of our communities in New Zealand are protected and are safe.