MARK DREYFUS
SHADOW ATTORNEY-GENERAL
SHADOW MINISTER FOR CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM
MEMBER FOR ISAACS
ANDREW GILES MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR MULTICULTURAL AFFAIRS
SHADOW MINISTER FOR CITIES AND URBAN INFRASTRUCTURE
SHADOW MINISTER ASSISTING FOR IMMIGRATION AND CITIZENSHIP
MEMBER FOR SCULLIN
AMANDA STOKER TRIES TO CANCEL ANTI-RACISM CAMPAIGN
Senator Amanda Stoker’s attempt to block the Australian Human Rights Commission’s (AHRC) anti-racism campaign is a disturbing and outrageous attempt to interfere with the work of an independent government agency.
After years of inaction on tackling racism, the attempt by the Assistant to the Attorney-General to derail the AHRC’s campaign to combat systemic racism proves the Morrison Government isn’t serious about tackling racism.
The $140,000 Human Rights Commission (AHRC) tender offered the opportunity to update the “Racism. It Stops With Me” campaign, established by the Gillard Government.
Racism is on the rise, damaging lives and undermining Australia’s social cohesion. Yet Senator Amanda Stoker, who has a shameful record of supporting divisive motions moved by Pauline Hanson in the Senate, has put her ideological views ahead of standing up for millions of Australians.
The actions of Senator Stoker also raise broader concerns about the Morrison Government’s attitude toward the AHRC. The Government has recently tasked the Sex Discrimination Commissioner with conducting a review of the workplace culture in the Parliament and it is critical to the credibility of that review, and all reviews conducted by Commissioners of the AHRC, that the independence of the AHRC is respected.
Labor applauds the AHRC for resisting the Morrison Government’s attempt to interfere with the Commission’s work.
The Prime Minister and the Attorney-General must now make it clear that the Government respects the independence of the AHRC and will not make any further attempts to interfere in the Commission’s important work.
Australia needs a new anti-racism strategy, with a zero tolerance approach at its core.
Australians need a government that’s committed to fighting and ending the scourge of racism.
THURSDAY, 29 APRIL 2021
