Racially derogatory cartoons and racial vilif ication laws: Where to draw the line?

Abstract

This article examines whether racially derogatory cartoons are capable of infringing Part IIA of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth). In particular, it examines the exemption of ‘artistic work’ in section 18D, which depends on the artistic work being published ‘reasonably’. Courts have struggled to apply the concept of ‘reasonableness’ to cartoons, noting that cartoons are exaggerated by their nature and that they often convey political messages.