Australian columnist breached racial act

Bolt's articles suggested that some fair-skinned Aborigines identified themselves as Aboriginal so they could access benefits. Photo / APN

Columnist Andrew Bolt says a court finding against him is "a sad day for free speech".

Bolt said he "cannot believe it's come to this" after the Federal Court found he breached the Racial Discrimination Act with two of his Herald Sun columns in 2009.

"I am truly shocked," Bolt says. "I cannot believe this is Australia, a land of free speech."

Bolt's articles suggested some fair-skinned Aborigines identified themselves as Aboriginal so they could access benefits. The court action was brought against him by some of those named in his articles.

Justice Mordecai Bromberg said fair-skinned Aboriginal people were reasonably likely to have been "offended, insulted, humiliated or intimidated".

In his column, Bolt yesterday said his 2009 columns argued that those people had choices. "They could choose to identify as Aboriginal, or as some other ethnicity in their ancestry, or, as I do, as Australian. Even as an individual."

The publisher is reviewing the judgment to consider whether to appeal.

Lead plaintiff activist Pat Eatock, 72, said: "I'm telling you now it is a highlight of my career and my life."

- AAP