Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) | Hansard source

I have spoken before in this place and in my public life over many years about the effect of racism and the experience of racism, as I did also, Senator, in relation to the targeting of you by Senator Hanson, so I think my comments about the existence of racism and the damage that racism causes are well established.

In relation to the Human Rights Commission's national anti-racism report, I want to thank the Race Discrimination Commissioner for his work. This is important work, and we have a long way to go when it comes to eliminating racism in all sectors of Australian society. All of us have a role to play in ensuring that there is no racism in this country, where no-one should be targeted because of who they are or what they believe. It is a fundamental principle of our democracy that people should feel and be safe, regardless of who they are or which faith they adhere to.

Now, in terms of the recommendations, that report has been provided to government. I understand the Attorney-General is the responsible minister? I'm looking at Minister Watt. Yes, I think that's right. The government will carefully consider the 63 recommendations that related to work being progressed across government.