Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care) Share this | Hansard source

():  I rise to speak on behalf of the opposition to mark tomorrow as 50 years since the Racial Discrimination Act came into force. It was a pivotal moment in Australian history and a journey towards social cohesion. The act passed with bipartisan support, reflecting our shared national commitment to a fair go for all Australians. The RDA established the legal protections against racial discrimination in employment, housing, education and public life. Australia is a proud multicultural nation, and the act laid the foundations of our reputation as a leader in human rights and multicultural policy. It has been instrumental in building the inclusive, diverse society that we all celebrate today.

As a South Australian, I am particularly proud of our state's multicultural history. South Australia was founded on the principles of religious freedom and tolerance. Can I acknowledge the work of former Labor premier Don Dunstan, who oversaw South Australia leading the country on transformative racial discrimination legislation. Through his work in 1966, nine years before the federal act, South Australia became the first Australian state to outlaw racial discrimination. Today, according to the 2021 census, our state is home to people from more than 214 nations, 248 languages are spoken and 128 religions are practised. I come from the Riverland in South Australia. This is an area that has absolutely been enriched by waves of migration, from Italian and Greek families who transformed our horticultural industries following the war, to more recent arrivals from Afghanistan, Sudan and Myanmar. South Australia's wine industry, tourism sector and regional communities have all flourished because of this cultural diversity.

Coalition governments have consistently upheld the Racial Discrimination Act and its principles, and we have focused on practical measures to support the diversity of our communities, including targeted education, employment and health programs for Indigenous and migrant Australians. At our core, we believe in individual rights and freedoms, including robust protections from discrimination. We also recognise the need to balance antidiscrimination protections with freedom of speech and religion. Our approach is driven by the importance of social cohesion, national unity and celebrating the vibrant, cultural diversity within our Australian identity.

But, while we celebrate the RDA's achievements, we must also acknowledge the uncomfortable truth: 50 years after this act came into being, Indigenous Australians still face unacceptable challenges. The RDA aims to eliminate racial discrimination and create equity and equality before the law, yet significant gaps still remain in health, education, employment and life expectancy for these communities. Despite successive government commitments, most Closing the Gap targets are not being met. Indigenous Australians still face life expectancy gaps of approximately eight years compared to non-Indigenous Australians. There must be a genuine partnership with Indigenous communities in health, education and economic opportunity. We must recommit to closing the gap—not through top-down government programs or a one-size-fits-all approach conceived in Canberra but by empowering our Indigenous Australians to design and deliver solutions for their own communities. The next 50 years of the RDA must be about turning legal equality into real equality on the ground.

Sadly, I must also talk about racial discrimination today and acknowledge the concerning rise of antisemitism that we are experiencing in Australia. We see it in the armed guards who are standing outside Jewish childcare centres and schools, Jewish businesses that have been boycotted and harassed and synagogues that have been put at risk. This hate has no place in our country. As we recognise the anniversary of the Racial Discrimination Act, we as Australia must also stand united against hate.

The coalition reaffirms our commitment to a society free of discrimination. We must remain vigilant, ensuring antidiscrimination laws are fair, effective and respect fundamental freedoms. Ongoing education, community engagement, social cohesion and courageous leadership are essential in combating prejudice. We must be flexible to ensure the RDA Act responds to emerging challenges such as modern technology as it plays a role in evolving forms of discrimination. We must continue closing the gap for Indigenous Australians and support new migrants, standing against hate and celebrating diversity across our country.

Tomorrow is a day when we can acknowledge all those who have contributed to the progress made over the past 50 years. We have come a long way, but there is still much to do to achieve true equality and harmony. Together, we must continue to build a fair Australia.