Jodie Belyea (Dunkley, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise today to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, held on 21 March—a day that calls on all of us to reflect and to act. My values have been shaped by faith, by community and by a deep belief in the inherent dignity of every human being. I was raised with a simple but enduring principle: do unto others as you would have them do unto you. It is a principle shared across cultures, faiths and philosophies, and one that speaks directly to respect, responsibility and inclusion. Yet, today, many Australians feel a deep unease.

Around the world and here at home we are witnessing a troubling rise in division fuelled by fear, misinformation and the deliberate misuse of race, religion and identity—often for political gain. I hear this directly from my community of Dunkley, particularly from young people who observe political debates. They ask whether this is the future we want to create, because that is what we appear to be choosing. They see conflict abroad. They see rising antisemitism and Islamophobia. They see the ongoing impact of racism on First Nations people, and they wonder whether social cohesion is slipping from our grasp—whether it is an aspiration, a dream, or an unrealistic goal.

The people that speak to me about their fears and apprehension feel despair. Others begin to mimic the behaviour they see, believing division to be the norm. That should concern every one of us in this place. History teaches us that social cohesion is not automatic. It must be protected, nurtured and operationalised deliberately and consistently. Australia's strength has always been found in our diversity—not despite of it but because of it. We are a nation built by people from every corner of the globe, united not by conformity but by shared democratic values of fairness, respect and equality.

My own life reflects this diversity. I've close family connections within the Jewish community. I have worked with and learned from Jewish leaders and businesspeople, whose commitment to community responsibility and social justice has shaped my career. My mother introduced me to Buddhism and its teachings—including compassion, service and universal acceptance. These experiences reinforced a simple truth. While beliefs and traditions may differ, the core values of humanity are shared.

This understanding further deepened through my work with First Nations communities. From my early adulthood I committed myself to learning, listening and working alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders. Leading a national indigenous youth leadership program and learning from respected leaders across the country challenged my perspectives and strengthened my resolve to stand against racism and discrimination in all its forms. As the member for Dunkley, I took an oath to serve all Australians without fear or favour. That responsibility demands more than words.

Australia is a signatory to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, a commitment that requires us not only to reject racism but to actively prevent it. Eliminating racial discrimination is not symbolic. It is a legal and moral responsibility that safeguards social cohesion, human dignity and democratic stability. It requires all of us, when we see it, to call it out, to protect communities from discrimination and to model the respect we expect of others.

In recent weeks I have seen the best of this spirit in my community at the Holi celebrations at the Shri Shiva Vishnu temple, with people of all backgrounds coming together in joy—colour replacing division and celebration replacing fear. At citizenship ceremonies I'm regularly reminded that Australia is home to more than 3,000 cultures, each representing our shared national history. I am proud to represent a community that is home to the largest Hindu temple in the Southern Hemisphere; to Sikh Volunteers Australia, whose service embodies generosity and compassion; and to the Ahmadiyya Muslim community, whose guiding principle—love for all, hatred for none—offers a powerful lesson for our times.

These local experiences are reflected on the global stage. In recent months Australia has welcomed overseas leaders including Mark Carney, the prime minister of Canada; the King and Queen of Denmark; and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen. This past week, we have also hosted Exercise Kakadu, bringing together naval forces from 18 nations, including Canada, New Zealand, Japan, India, Indonesia, Singapore, the Philippines and the United States. These moments matter. They remind us that the elimination of racial discrimination is critical to ensuring social cohesion. Our national security and our contribution to global peace depend on our ability to live together with trust, respect and solidarity. Cohesion at home strengthens credibility abroad.

Social cohesion begins with leadership. Those of us honoured to hold positions of influence must understand that our words and our actions carry weight far beyond this chamber. Leadership is not just about what we say; it is about what we demonstrate. If we want a cohesive, respectful and resilient nation, then those in positions of power must walk the talk every day with integrity. We cannot let leaders say that there are no good Muslims. Cohesion is not weakened by difference; it is weakened by political pointscoring not grounded in the values of respect. The elimination of racial discrimination requires leadership from all of us in this place that rejects division, policy that promotes inclusion and everyday actions that reinforce belonging, including the implementation of the National Anti-Racism Framework.

If we are to remain true to the values that define Australia—fairness, respect and equality—then we must actively choose unity over fear, inclusion over exclusion and hope over despair. Let us recommit to the simple yet powerful truth that our shared humanity is greater than any difference. In doing so, we strengthen not only our communities but the very fabric of the nation we are proud to call home.

Federation Chamber adjourned at 12 : 12

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