2025-09-17
Today, the Greens secured the passage of a motion condemning the racist, anti-immigration rallies that have taken place in Canberra and across the country.
Andrew Braddock, Greens Spokesperson for anti-racism, said it was incumbent on all members of the Assembly to stand in solidarity with multicultural communities in the wake of these events.
“These rallies left many in our community feeling unsafe and unwelcome in their own city – people who have every right to feel proud and safe as Canberrans.”
“Islamophobia, antisemitism, and anti-South Asian sentiments have been extremely hurtful to our multicultural communities.
“As public figures and community leaders, every member of this Assembly has a responsibility to condemn these rallies and protect Australia’s cultural diversity.”
“Using our voices in our Parliament sends a powerful signal to Canberra’s multicultural communities that their leaders see their distress, hear their concerns, and are taking them seriously. This is the bare minimum we should be providing to these communities.
“These communities are increasingly concerned about the display and distribution of Nazi symbology and propaganda here in Canberra. It’s imperative the Assembly stands these communities and demonstrates our ongoing condemnation of racist and antisemitic actions.
“The actions of the ACT Parliament today are of course important to stemming the scourge of racism which has continue to grip our society, but it is also important tool in our toolbox to fighting the increasing risk of fascism we are seeing take hold internationally.
“The actions of the ACT Parliament today are a vital step in tackling the scourge of racism and hate gripping our society, but they are also a crucial tool in confronting the growing threat of fascism we see taking hold internationally.
“While there must always be a place in Australian democracy for peaceful protest, the nature of the protests we saw a few weeks ago was not peaceful. These protests were about spreading racist, hateful views that are inherently violent towards members of our community.
“The increasing fascism we have seen take hold in the USA must serve as a warning to us all and reinvigorate our fight to keep Canberra and Australia a safe, inclusive place for all.
“The Greens are committed to building a Canberra that celebrates diversity, stands with migrant and refugee communities, and actively rejects hate, racism and division.”