Nick McKim (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

  (i) 21 March 2018 is the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, and

  (ii) racial discrimination is still prevalent in Australia, and that it has significant impacts on community harmony, as well as people's health and wellbeing;

(b) condemns the Turnbull Government for:

  (i) trying to water down the hate speech provisions of the Racial Discrimination Act,

  (ii) engaging in a racist campaign against African communities in Victoria, and

  (iii) seeking to prioritise white South African farmers in the humanitarian and migration program on the basis of their race; and

(c) recognises that political leaders have a responsibility to stand up for multiculturalism and against racial discrimination.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The government rejects the false premise of this motion. The government does not support racial discrimination. The government will continue to uphold the broad protections against racial discrimination in Australian law. On 20 March 2017 the government released the statement 'Multicultural Australia: united, strong and successful', which sets out the government's vision for embracing diversity while emphasising our unique national identity and the importance of being an integrated and united people.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is that motion No. 752, standing in the name of Senator McKim, be agreed to.