EOC calls for anti-racism campaign

02/01/2003

by Diane Sisely
Chief Executive
Equal Opportunity Commission Victoria
January 2003

While $1.4 billion is being spent on counter terrorism mechanisms, how much money is being spent on counter racism mechanisms to ensure Australians remain the ‘friendly, decent and democratic people’ the Prime Minister and the rest of us are so proud of?

It is pleasing that the Prime Minister has belatedly acknowledged that Arabic speaking Australians and Muslim Australians are an integral part of our multicultural society.

However this is not enough. We need measures to counter the increased harassment, racism and vilification people are experiencing because of fears about terrorists in our midst.

Enquiries to the Equal Opportunity Commission about racial discrimination reached a four-year high in 2001/02 and we know that this is just the tip of the iceberg.

Arabic and Muslim community agencies tell us that people are too afraid to seek help from them, much less from an official body like the Commission.

The Prime Minister has written an open letter to Arabic speaking Australians expressing his gratitude for their forbearance in difficult times. This message needs to be sent loud and clear to all Australians.

I call on the Government to implement a counter racism campaign to run alongside the counter terrorism campaign to ensure that the way of life we all value is maintained