Anti-racism training for all Federal MPs
White people in Australia hold most of the political institutional and economic power, they receive advantages that First Nations people and racial minorities do not. These benefits and advantages, of varying degrees, lead to white privilege - which can manifest into discrimination in our halls of Parliament.
There is currently no mandated anti-racism training requirement for Federal Members of Parliament and Commonwealth employees.
Mandated anti-racism training will challenge white privilege and white fragility, and reveal ingrained prejudices.
The Greens plan includes:
- Mandate anti-racism training for all Federal Members of Parliament and Commonwealth employees
- Unpack white privilege and white fragility, in the context of personal, professional and community spaces
- Challenge the notion that Australian institutions and services, such as the health or justice system, are colour blind
- Discuss how racial discrimination and harassment manifest in parliaments, work environments and service delivery and how tackling racism will improve government service delivery
- Urge MPs and Commonwealth employees to commit to personal and professional practices that discourage hate speech, challenge racism and improve Commonwealth engagement with and service delivery for First Nations people and people of colour
A National Anti-Racism Strategy
Racism and discrimination cause immense direct harm to people of colour. Racial discrimination damages the physical, psychological, and social wellbeing of many in our community. COVID-19 prompted a significant upsurge in racist attacks against people of colour.
Far-right racist extremism now constitutes 50% of ASIO’s counter-terrorism case load
The Greens plan includes:
- $40 million in grants to community organisations and local governments to deliver programs that tackle structural racism, create awareness and empower communities to prevent racism
- $5 million for national anti-racism campaigning; and
- $5 million to staff and deliver the strategy at the AHRC.
Make Hate Speech Illegal
Racism is fuelled by hatred and bigotry. Left unchecked, hate speech can lead to hate crimes. Politicians and prominent public figures in Australia often engage in racist hate speech that has gone from dog whistling to fanning the flames of racial conflict.
Far-right extremism and racist hatred are increasing. We see the consequences of not preventing hate speech in tragedies like the Christchurch Mosque attacks.
There is currently no criminal prohibition of hate speech at the federal level
The Greens plan includes:
- Adding hate speech to the criminal code of conduct
- Establish a national database for tracking hate crimes
- Proactively remove online racism and hate speech and hold social media companies accountable for the hate that is allowed to fester on their platforms
Building a genuinely Multicultural country
Most states have legislation to protect and value multiculturalism, however no such laws exist at a federal level. Currently, Australians with dual nationality cannot sit as MPs in our Federal Parliament, and people from diverse backgrounds are underrepresented in boards and committees. But diversity in our political leadership, business and community, means more innovation and better outcomes for all of us which is reflective of our society and its values.
Half of all Australians are either born overseas or have a parent who was born overseas.
The Greens plan includes:
- Establishing a Federal Multicultural Commission to create a framework for multiculturalism and establishing guiding principles for Australian society to embrace and appreciate cultural and religious diversity.
- Amending section 44 of the Constitution so that dual citizens can run for Federal office
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We're fighting to get real climate action, make the big corporations and billionaires pay their fair share of tax, and get dental and mental health in Medicare. The Greens are fighting for your future.