Race Discrimination
The Asianisation of Australia?
Keynote speech to Asian Studies Association of Australia Annual Conference, “AsiaScapes: Contesting Borders”
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Race Discrimination
Race Discrimination
It’s time to break through the bamboo ceiling
Not all that long ago, someone asked me what I did for work. I have learnt from the first year in my job that this can be a dangerous question. Mentioning racial discrimination too early in a conversation can be enough to kill it. Often I simply say to people that I work at the Australian Human...
Race Discrimination
Our laws must support racial tolerance
In the month since the Federal Government released its exposure draft of proposed changes to the Racial Discrimination Act, Australians have made it clear that they do not accept bigotry and racism. This is a message worth heeding. After all, few propositions can command near universal agreement. Yet...
Race Discrimination
Let’s draw the right lessons from the NBA race controversy
It may be happening in the US, but the NBA race controversy involving LA Clippers owner Donald Sterling has some resonance for Australians. As debate continues about the Federal Government’s proposed amendments to the Racial Discrimination Act, it is worth asking: In what ways must a society counter...
Race Discrimination
Tread softly on race act reform
ANY changes to the Racial Discrimination Act must address significant inconsistencies with human rights. The deadline for feedback on the government’s exposure draft of amendments to the act closes today. Set against the background of the worthy aspiration of tackling racism, the current law makes...
Race Discrimination
Guest Blog: Racism is a moral bad that our law should combat
Can you legislate for virtue or eradicate racism through laws? These are questions that have been raised in the current debate about the Racial Discrimination Act.
Race Discrimination
RDA changes would amplify prejudice
Until recently, very few Australians would have been prepared to offer an explicit defence of a right to express bigotry. We may recognise that people in their heart of hearts may hold racial prejudices, but we knew enough to know that we shouldn’t be encouraging it. It is only one small step from...
Race Discrimination
Free thinking?
Many say freedom of expression means nothing if it doesn’t entail a freedom to offend others. Enjoying such freedom means that you may also have to tolerate hurtful or distasteful speech. But what if the burden of tolerance is not borne equally? What if some forms of speech wound not merely...
Race Discrimination
Racism laws show society's strength
We should be emphatically proud of our achievements as a multicultural society.
Race Discrimination
When it comes to racism, we need a new question
It happened again last week. During an interview and discussion about the Facebook responses to the swearing in of Ed Husic as a Minister, I was asked, “So, is Australia a racist country?” When interviewed in my capacity as Australia’s acting Race Discrimination Commissioner, I, and those that have...
Race Discrimination
Agenda for Racial Equality - Address to the National Press Club (2012)
When I talked about racism to a senior member of a community organization he said to me – that won’t go down well in some parts of Australia – people will ark up!
Race Discrimination
Freedom of speech should not trump the right to safety (2012)
Many people will be familiar with the recent “Aboriginal memes” page on a popular social media site, in which images of Aboriginal people were published with highly derogatory captions.
Race Discrimination
Launch of the National Anti Racism Strategy (2012)
I would like to begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land, the People of the Kulin Nation and to pay my respects to elders past and present.
Race Discrimination
Harmony Day speech - What role do I have to address racism? (2012)
Why is it that we celebrate Harmony Day each year? I suspect that if I asked a random sample of people on the street, not many would be able to tell me.
