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
Today the Parliament united to reject racism in Australia. I moved the following motion, which was seconded by Fiona Martin MP, that the house:
1. Recognises the significant contribution made by Chinese-Australians to Australia.
2. Recognises that all people in Australia, regardless of their ethnicity, cultural or religious background, deserve to be respected in our society.
3. Recognises that Australia is the most successful multicultural society in the world and that Australia is strengthened by our diversity.
4. Recognises the important role our multicultural communities have played in stopping the spread of the coronavirus.
5. Notes that; a. the COVID-19 crisis has seen a number of appalling racist attacks on ChineseAustralians; and b. condemns these shocking racist attacks.
I wish to thank my parliamentary colleagues, from both sides, for their contributions today: Fiona Martin MP, Chris Hayes MP, Tim Wilson MP, Clare O'Neil MP, Katie Allen MP, Graham Perrett MP and Gladys Liu MP.
We have acknowledged the problem and now we need to commit to action.
Labor supports a national anti-racism strategy and is ready to work with the Government to see this progressed as a bipartisan, unifying initiative.