2024-11-27
Senator Mehreen Faruqi, Deputy Greens Leader and Anti-Racism Spokesperson, wants federal government commitment and full funding to implement the National Anti-Racism Framework.
Quotes attributable to Senator Mehreen Faruqi:
“The long awaited framework which we’ve pushed for so long is finally here. Now if the government is serious about tackling racism, they must fully commit to and fund it.
“The framework rightly makes no bones about the roots, extent and depth of systemic, structural and institutional racism and white privilege in this country. It is rightly grounded in the racial injustice First Nations people have been subjected to since colonisation.
“I hope politicians in my workplace take note and finally stop denying the existence of racism and stop dismissing and vilifying those who call it out.
“It is reaffirming to see many recommendations that the Greens and I have been calling for including mandating anti-racism training for MPs and their staff, national collection of data on racism, a national Human Rights Act and funding for local government to implement anti-racism initiatives.
“The only way to unwind systemic and entrenched racism is to accept that approaches to date have failed because governments have avoided the truth about racism and its harm. The only way to tackle racism is to dismantle the whitewashed structures that persist at every level.
“While racism will only be eliminated by working across society, the government has a responsibility to show leadership and accountability. Labor could start by establishing a standalone anti-racism portfolio responsible for implementing this framework.
“I commend the Race Discrimination Team at the AHRC and all those who participated in this extensive process for developing the framework and strongly urge the government to implement the recommendations to start building an anti-racist country and society.