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An Anti-Racism Framework: The Perspectives of Multicultural Australia

Race Discrimination
Illustration of a family in traditional clothing beside a blue DNA strand. Text reads: “An Anti-Racism Framework: The Perspectives of Multicultural Australia."

Image design copyright Bree Buttenshaw for Saltwater People (2024).

About 

This report presents the findings and recommendations that followed consultations with more than 1200 people with lived experience of racism from across Australia, enhancing the Commission’s understanding of the prevalence and impact of racism in the country.  

This report was commissioned by the AHRC and conducted by the Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA). It is part of a suite of work helping inform the National Anti-Racism Framework, which the Commission will deliver to the Federal Government on 26 November 2024.  

Read the full report here.

Report methodology 

Between November 2023 and May 2024, FECCA engaged 18 organisations across Australia, using an intersectional lens and intentionally prioritising groups that are most likely to experience racism together with other forms of discrimination.  

In total, 44 consultation sessions took place across all states and territories, covering more than 860 participants. An online survey was also conducted, with 411 valid responses. 

Key findings 

Among the key findings was that, despite the diversity of people’s backgrounds – including location, age, disability, sexuality, faith and cultural background – racism was widespread throughout the country and entrenched in society.  

Racism, the report found, is often being experienced at the same time as another form of discrimination such as disability or sex discrimination, and is taking place in people’s schools, workplaces, public spaces, and during interactions with health services or law enforcement.   

Governments and the media were also found to be culpable in further marginalising people through a culture of silence, which either ignores or minimises incidents of racism or stokes divisions through sensationalist rhetoric.  

The experiences shared by participants have reinforced findings from previous studies and brought to the forefront the solutions that those with lived experience of racism propose to build a society where racism is actively combated. 

Recommendations 

In total, 11 recommendations (7 main, 4 supplementary) were made to help build a society where racism is actively combated. These include: 

  • The Australian Government must lead the way to change and commit to a whole-of-society, anti-racism agenda, such as through a national anti-racism framework.  
  • Combating First Nations racism must be at the forefront of reform.  
  • Schools must educate on racism, including First Nations experiences of settler colonisation, and take a strengths-based approach to racial diversity including via curriculum. 
  • Public and private institutions, including in education, employment, healthcare, and justice, must have policies in place to address racism in all its forms. This includes incorporating preventative and redress mechanisms, reviewing all current policies and procedures for accessing opportunities and services, and introducing mandatory anti-racism training.  
  • Media should employ more professionals from culturally diverse backgrounds that lead news and help to shape anti-racist narratives in Australia. 

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Tags Race Discrimination