ANDREW GILES MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR CITIES AND URBAN INFRASTRUCTURE
SHADOW MINISTER FOR MULTICULTURAL AFFAIRS
SHADOW MINISTER ASSISTING FOR IMMIGRATION AND CITIZENSHIP
MEMBER FOR SCULLIN
Racism is a "significant economic, social and national security threat", according to the Race Discrimination Commissioner, Chin Tan.
This is yet another warning for the Morrison Government to tackle racism, and treat it as the serious threat it is.
Australia has not had a national anti-racism plan since 2018 and no proper federal funding for one since 2015.
This is unacceptable. Racism is damaging to both individuals and communities.
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 calls on the Morrison Government to commit to a comprehensive national anti-racism strategy, one aimed at empowering communities and changing attitudes.
A recent Lowy poll showed that 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.
The New Zealand Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Terrorist Attack on Christchurch made clear that there were radical voices and groups in Australia that contributed to the Christchurch terrorist's radicalisation on our shores.
For more than a year, Federal Labor and a coalition of peak multicultural groups have been calling on the Morrison Government to do more.
Racism and right-wing-extremism are the on rise around the globe.
When it comes to tackling rising racism and discrimination leadership matters. We can't afford to have a Prime Minister that has a blind spot on racism.
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 with a zero-tolerance approach to racism at its core.