Racism on the rise, says Labor

THE Federal Government has been “missing in action” as racism worsens in Australia, says Labor’s multicultural affairs spokesman Andrew Giles.

He warned of the “creeping normalisation of hate and racism in Australia”, and called on the Government to back a new national campaign to combat growing xenophobia.

“Australia’s Government has been missing in action,” the federal Labor MP said. “Whether it’s on Facebook or in the supermarket, on the football field or on the street, or the disadvantage experienced by our First Peoples – racism persists in Australia.”

He cited attacks on people of Asian appearance in Melbourne and Sydney, a spike in attacks on Australian Muslims, and “near-constant denigration” of African-Australians in the media.

Businesses in a predominantly Chinese community in Melbourne’s east had seen a 70 per cent drop in business.

“No doubt because of fear and misinformation about the coronavirus,” Mr Giles said.

“The truth is that racism in Australia is on the rise.”

Not even Parliament was immune, he said, pointing to the support Coalition senators gave to One Nation leader

Pauline Hanson’s “it’s OK to be white” motion.

“These actions carry heavy consequences,” he says.

“Without doubt racism can take a real and lasting toll on individual lives and communities.”

He also pointed to Daily Telegraph columnist Tim Blair referring to former race discrimination commissioner Tim Soutphommasane (right) as “race hustler Tim Sudafednasalspray”.

“At first, I thought it was a mistake,” Mr Giles said of the description.

“It was racism, pure and simple.”