Discrimination, Racism Concerns Dominate Submissions in Australia’s Multicultural Review Report

A placard reading "NO! (with moustaches)" is pictured during a demonstration against racism, anti-Semitism and hate speech, named "Sea of lights for democracy" (Lichtermeer für Demokratie) at the Theresienwiese fairground in Munich, southern Germany, on Feb. 11, 2024. Lukas Barth/AFP via Getty Images

The Australian government’s new report, “Towards Fairness: A Multicultural Australia for All,” revealed that discrimination and racism ranked second in concerns raised by 796 organisations and bodies, just behind inclusion and belonging.

Published on July 24, the report calls for active measures to combat racism, highlighting persistent challenges faced by communities such as African Australians and Indian Australians. The Chinese Community Council emphasised the need for a stronger sense of belonging.

Over 60 themes were identified in the submissions to the panel, of which the top 10 were inclusion and belonging, discrimination and racism, language services, education, visas, grants or funding, policy, employment and workers’ rights, access and equity, and recognition of cultural activities and events.

The report submitted its findings and recommendations to the Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Andrew Giles, in March.

“It calls on governments and all citizens to actively combat racism, which is still experienced by far too many Australians. Of the top ten themes identified in submissions to the review, second on the list were experiences of discrimination and racism,” Mr. Giles said when commenting on the report.

Concerns From Community Representatives

Concerns with discrimination were raised by almost all Asian, South Asian, and African bodies and individuals who were asked for their views.

“Casual racism is something which cannot be stopped, but talking about it and condemning it at a state and federal government level is important to lessen the incidences. For example, anti-Asian hate was on the rise from 2020 due to Asian/Asian Australians getting blamed for the pandemic with ignorant views coming out,” reads the submission made by the Asian Australian Alliance.

Meanwhile, the submission from the African Australian Council claimed an increase in the number of racial profiling incidents, abuse of authority, and unlawful arrests of people of African descent, especially the youth.

“They are not free to gather or walk in the streets; they experience very little liberty, with frequent restrictions on their movements. Regular policing, threats, and disruptions of gatherings of people of African descent are often prompted by suspicions that imply race-based intolerance,” the submission read.

Australians of African descent also said the Human Rights Commission took six months to act on their complaints.

“Many African-descent Australians have lost hope and discontinued their complaints due to frustrations from organisations intended to bring them solace. People of African descent have little recourse to a clear complaints procedure, and in those instances where some have registered complaints, they have faced either indifference or pushback,” it continued.

IndianCare, an ethnic-specific organisation based in Victoria, echoed similar concerns.

“For many Indian people growing up in Australia, racist profanities at school and workplaces continue to be unacknowledged. The lack of institutional will to take responsibility for the abuse of racialised minorities results in a loss of trust in public institutions, trauma, and mental health issues, particularly for young people,” it stated.

One submissions quoted a case study by a South Asian girl claiming to be abused for her skin colour.

“As a dark-skinned young girl who grew up in country Victoria, I had stones thrown at me by other children while walking home from school. Oftentimes, I would be excluded or ignored,” she said.

The Epoch Times has not independently verified this claim.

The Chinese Community Council of Australia did not directly claim discrimination but emphasised the need for “more sense of belonging” for the community.

“As proud Australians with Chinese heritage, we are privileged and grateful to call Australia home and actively contribute to society. However, despite the history of Chinese Australians spanning more than 200 years, our loyalty to this country has been questioned from time to time,” the Council said.

“Such questioning is not only unfair, unsettling, and hurtful for our community but is also detrimental, potentially undermining our shared sense of belonging.

“The updated multicultural framework should aim to ensure a fair go for all Australians and promote social cohesion and a sense of belonging.”

Racism Complaints Increasing

The Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has documented an increase in racism complaints under the Racial Discrimination Act over the last five years.

In the 2019-2020 period, the AHRC handled 701 complaints of racial discrimination. This represented an increase from previous years, indicating ongoing issues related to racial prejudice and discrimination in sectors such as employment, accommodation, and service provision.

Meanwhile, as part of the recommendation to tackle discrimination, the report has suggested creating a National Plan to celebrate multiculturalism, including Harmony Week, and formally observing the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

It also proposed to implement a sustainable national language policy to improve social and economic outcomes.

Another recommendation suggested establishing a Multicultural Australia Commission to lead the implementation of the framework.