No place for racist acts

THE coronavirus outbreak expanding across the globe is alarming in many ways. So far more than 71,000 cases have been diagnosed worldwide since the virus emerged from Wuhan, the capital of China’s Hubei province, late last year.

More than 11,000 cases are considered serious and so far at least 1770 have died.

Travel bans have been put in place preventing people from leaving mainland China. Australia, alongside other countries, has closed its borders to Chinese visitors until at least February 22.

In Australia there have been 15 confirmed cases plus another 24 passengers aboard the Diamond Princess in Japan have tested positive to the virus. The economic impact has also been huge. Tasmania’s seafood industry is suffering with the state’s lucrative rock lobster and abalone industries virtually shut down to Chinese markets since January 24. Tasmanian tourist operators have also been hit with Tourism Industry Council chief Luke Martin describing trade for some sectors “falling off a cliff”.

One Hobart tour operator, which specialises in Chinese travellers, is forecasting $1 million losses after 95 per cent of its customers cancelled tours running through to April.

At least 99,000 Chinese students enrolled in Australian universities have also been caught up in the travel ban including 1300 at the University of

RACIST ATTITUDES THRIVE IN AN ENVIRONMENT OF IGNORANCE AND FEAR. SUCH ACTIONS CANNOT BE EXCUSED OR IGNORED.

Tasmania. The ban puts at risk about $4.5 billion in university income across the nation.

So yes, this is a big deal and the risks should not be downplayed — but nor should they be exaggerated.

There is another alarming trend we strongly condemn. Tasmania’s Anti-Discrimination Commissioner Sarah Bolt says there has been an increasing number of reports of people of Asian appearance being abused on the streets as well as being refused service. Others have been rejected for accommodation bookings.

Racist attitudes thrive in an environment of ignorance and fear. It is illegal to incite hatred, contempt or ridicule someone on the basis of their race. Such actions cannot be excused or ignored.

On the weekend Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews posted a photo on social media of his family enjoying Chinese takeaway. “Last I checked coronavirus wasn’t on the banquet menu,” he states in a post which condemns similar prejudice surfacing in Melbourne.

“A view that somehow, for whatever reason, Chinese people — and Chinese restaurants — should be avoided. It’s wrong — and it’s discriminatory.”

It’s just the type of leadership called for by Multicultural Council of Tasmania chairman Waqas Durani. “Our leaders must lead by example and call out any untoward behaviour and so should everyday Tasmanians.”

He is absolutely right. We need to keep things in perspective. There are no coronavirus cases in Tasmania and just 15 across Australia. Yes, heed the advice of medical authorities and look up the facts on health.gov.au. We must be sensible and take precautions but there is no need to panic.

There also is never a reason to be racist.