ANDREW GILES MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR MULTICULTURAL AFFAIRS
SHADOW MINISTER FOR CITIES AND URBAN INFRASTRUCTURE
SHADOW MINISTER ASSISTING FOR IMMIGRATION AND CITIZENSHIP
MEMBER FOR SCULLIN
New research from the Lowy Institute reveals that one in five Chinese-Australians had been physically threatened or attacked in the last year.
Labor calls on the Morrison Government to commit to a comprehensive national anti-racism strategy, one aimed at empowering communities and changing attitudes.
The Lowy poll also shows 37 percent of Chinese-Australians said they had been treated differently or less favourably in the past year because of their heritage and 31 percent had been called offensive names.
How much more evidence does the Morrison Government need to commit to a national anti-racism strategy?
For the last year Labor and a coalition of peak multicultural groups have been calling on the Morrison Government to do more.
Scott Morrison can't continue to ignore this issue.
Racism and right wing extremism are the on rise around the globe.
We can't afford to have a Prime Minister that has a blind spot on racism.
Tackling racism requires people in leadership to take responsibility and lead.
As the Race Discrimination Commissioner has stated: "it's not enough for governments to condemn racism: They need to actively support efforts to stamp it out both financially and also in terms of leadership." Labor understands that the vast majority of Australians do the right thing, but racism anywhere is a threat to all of us.
It's time for Scott Morrison to join with Labor and commit to a national anti-racism strategy.