Racism, it stops with me
Friday, 24 August 2012
Joint media release with Senator Kate Lundy - Minister for Sport, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Minister Assisting for Industry and Innovation and Nicola Roxon MP - Attorney-General and Minister for Emergency Management.
Sporting, education, community and business leaders stood alongside the Commonwealth Government today in calling on all Australians to say no to racism.
In launching Australia's National Anti-Racism Strategy, Racism, it stops with me Attorney-General Nicola Roxon and Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Senator Kate Lundy, said everyone has a responsibility to stamp out racism when they see it.
'It's not cool to laugh at a joke that just isn't funny - you can speak out for others,' Attorney-General Nicola Roxon said.
'Comments like 'I'm not racist, but …' aren't okay and we all need to step in and pull people up.
'Tackling racism head on is something we all have a stake in so everyone can enjoy the uniquely Australian, fair go.
'Racism, it stops with me sets out a three-year plan for government to work with community partners to combat racism across schools and higher education, the media, government service providers, workplaces and the internet.'
Senator Lundy said the strategy was a key initiative of our national multicultural policy, The People of Australia, and confirmed the government's continued commitment to a national partnership to combat racism.
'The new national strategy reaffirms the government's strong opposition to all forms of racism, discrimination, intolerance and prejudice,' Senator Lundy said.
'Racism discounts people's contribution, locking them out of social and economic opportunities and entrenching disadvantage.
'The tagline: Racism, It stops with me makes it absolutely clear that the strategy starts at a grassroots level and everyone in Australia can work to combat racism when they see or experience it.
'By addressing racism in the community we are ensuring we can continue leverage the strength of our diversity and prosper as a nation.'
The government thanks Race Discrimination Commissioner Dr Helen Szoke for leading the National Anti-Racism Partnership and Strategy as well as partners including the Australian Multicultural Council, the Federation of Ethnic Communities' Councils of Australia, the National Congress of Australia's First People, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, and the Attorney-General's Department.
More information on the National Anti-Racism Partnership and Strategy is available.
See: Race Discrimination
URL: http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/parlsec/media/kl/2012/kl189447.htm
Last update: Friday, 24 August 2012 at 14:57 AEST