Lamb v Campbell
[2021] NSWCATAD 103
At a glance
Source factsCourt
NCAT Administrative and Equal Opportunity
Decision date
2020-10-29
Source
Original judgment source is linked above.
Judgment (11 paragraphs)
REASONS FOR DECISION
- On 18 April 2020 Mr Wayne Campbell delivered an unprovoked verbal assault upon an Aboriginal man, Mr William 'Billy' Lamb. Mr Campbell had never met Mr Lamb before that day and he would have known almost nothing about him except the colour of his skin.
- The words used by Mr Campbell were vile, racist and homophobic. Mr Lamb did nothing to invite or deserve the tirade visited upon him.
- Mr Lamb commenced proceedings against Mr Campbell under the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW) ("the AD Act") because he feels that as an Aboriginal Elder he has a responsibility to show his family and people in the community that racism is not acceptable and should never be tolerated.
- Mr Lamb was humiliated at the time and he has risked further hostility and humiliation by making and pursuing his claim. He has pressed his claim because he wants this kind of behaviour to stop.
- Unfortunately Mr Campbell has not offered any explanation or apology for his conduct and chose not to attend the final hearing. The Tribunal also tried to contact Mr Campbell on the day of final hearing but was not successful.
- The primary question for determination in this matter is whether Mr Campbell's conduct was racial vilification, and therefore unlawful by operation of s 20C of the AD Act.