Mehreen Faruqi (NSW, Australian Greens) | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to Minister Wong, representing the Prime Minister. Minister, the long-awaited National Anti-Racism Framework was released this week. It makes no bones about the roots, extent and depth of systemic, structural and institutional racism and white privilege in this country. The report notes that it is beyond clear that racism has been entrenched in the systems, structures and institutions of Australia since colonisation. It is pervasive and causes real harm to people every single day, including, I'll add, in this very chamber. The commission calls on the Australian government to lead a national response to eliminating racism that begins with truth-telling for First Nations and embeds their rights to self-determination. Minister, will you commit to fully funding and implementing the National Anti-Racism Framework that begins with truth-telling for First Nations people?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) | Link to this | 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.

Sue Lines (President) | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Faruqi, first supplementary?

Mehreen Faruqi (NSW, Australian Greens) | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, the only way to unwind entrenched racism is to accept that approaches to date have been ad hoc, disjointed and ineffective because governments have avoided the truth about racism and the whitewashed structures that persist at every level. Minister, one of the overarching recommendations is for the government to establish a national antiracism taskforce to oversee and advise on the implementation of the National Anti-Racism Framework. Given the urgency of the work, will you commit to the taskforce today?

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

As I said, Senator Faruqi, I think the report was handed to government this week, and we will work through those recommendations, as I indicated.

Sue Lines (President) | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Faruqi, second supplementary?

Mehreen Faruqi (NSW, Australian Greens) | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, this workplace is one where the existence of racism is denied, while those calling it out are dismissed, vilified and even punished. The framework acknowledges that a person calling out racism often endures more negative repercussions than the perpetrator, and highlights the need to understand how systems, structures and institutions are racist and to build racial literacy. Minister, will you mandate antiracism training for senators and MPs so racial literacy can be built in here?

Sue Lines (President) | Link to this | Hansard source

I'm advised by the Clerk that it isn't the government's responsibility to mandate the training, but I will invite the minister to respond to your question in her own way.

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

It is the case that often we do see or we do ourselves experience criticism for calling things out. And it is the case that people should be able to both be and feel safe in this workplace, as in all others. There are a number of propositions in the earlier part of your question which I don't agree with, but I do agree with the need for all of us to recognise what we can do to make our society more inclusive and to make this workplace more respectful, and part of that is to ensure that we are respectful in how we treat each other.