VMC Submission to the National Anti-Racism Partnership and Strategy
a) About the VMC
The Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC), established under the Multicultural
Victoria Act 2011, provides independent advice to the Victorian Government to
assist with the development of legislative and policy frameworks and the delivery of
services to the State’s culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities. It is
the main link between CALD communities and the Government and aims to support
and empower communities, promote unity and understanding, and celebrate
Victoria’s diversity.
b) Introduction
The VMC welcomes the Commonwealth Government’s decision to develop a
National Anti-Racism Partnership and Strategy with the stated aim of promoting a
clear understanding in the Australian community of what racism is, and how it
should be prevented and reduced.
Victoria, and Australia, is a culturally diverse, harmonious and socially cohesive
society, with more than 200 nations and 120 faiths represented and over 30,000
Indigenous Victorians living in the State. There is widespread support for diversity,
with the Victorian Population Health Survey 2009 finding that 75.1 per cent of
Victorians felt multiculturalism made life better in their area1, and the Challenging
Racism Project finding that Victoria is leading other states in its acceptance of
cultural diversity.2
The VMC recognises, however, that there is more work to be done in addressing
racist attitudes that exist in the Victorian community. The VMC is concerned by
community reports of racism and negative attitudes towards cultural diversity, as
highlighted in annual VMC community consultations and backed up by research
including the Challenging Racism Project, which highlighted the existence of racist
attitudes, race-hate talk and discrimination in institutional settings.
Racism is of concern given increasing evidence of its negative impact on individuals,
institutions, communities and society more broadly, as outlined in the Australian
Government’s 2012 report on the social inclusion agenda, A Stronger Fairer
1
Victorian Department of Health, 2009, Victorian Population Health Survey,
http://docs.health.vic.gov.au/docs/doc/Victorian-population-health-survey-2009:-selected-findings
2 University of Western Sydney, Challenging Racism: The Anti-racism Research Project,
http://www.uws.edu.au/ssap/school_of_social_sciences_and_psychology/research/challenging_racism
1
Australia, which suggested that race-based discrimination can lead to ill-health,
isolation, reduced productivity, and reduced life expectancy; and can also negatively
affect families and local communities, with resultant social and economic costs.3
A report by VicHealth supports this finding, highlighting that exposure to
discrimination is a factor in poor health and has negative impacts on productivity,
community cohesion, social inclusion and the attainment of human rights, and, at
the more extreme end, can lead to individual and community level violence.4
In recognition of the negative impacts of racism and the need to accord respect for
cultural, religious and linguistic diversity, the VMC believes it is incumbent on all
levels of government as well as the private and community sectors to put in place
effective policies and strategies to protect and enhance diversity, and prevent and
reduce racism and discrimination.
c) Victorian Government Policy Framework
The Victorian Government has in place a strong legislative and policy framework. At
the legislative level, this includes:
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Multicultural Victoria Act 2011 - establishes the principles of multiculturalism
that accord respect for Victoria’s cultural, religious and linguistic diversity.
The Preamble to the Act includes that the Parliament wishes to promote
Victoria as a united community with shared laws, values, aspirations and
responsibilities within which people from a diversity of backgrounds have (a)
the freedom and opportunity to preserve and express their cultural heritage;
(b) the freedom and opportunity to participate and contribute to the social,
cultural, economic and political life of Victoria; and (c) equal rights and
responsibilities under the laws of Victoria.
Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 - provides
formal recognition of the human rights, freedoms and responsibilities of
people living in Victoria. These include cultural rights, such that “people can
have different family, religious and cultural backgrounds. They can enjoy
their culture, declare and practice their religion and use their languages.” The
Victorian Government, local councils and other public authorities must not
knowingly be in breach of these rights, and must always consider them when
they create laws, develop policies and deliver their services.
Racial and Religious Tolerance Act 2001 - designed to protect all Victorians
against serious racial and religious vilification. Vilification is a public
behaviour that incites hatred against, or serious contempt or severe ridicule
of, another person or group of people because of their race or religion.
Equal Opportunity Act 2010 - protects people from discrimination on the
basis of their individual attributes, including race and religious belief, and
3
Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, 2009, A Stronger Fairer Australia, Commonwealth of
Australia, Canberra, pg. 9
4 VicHealth, 2009, Building on our Strengths,http://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/Programs-andProjects/Freedom-from-discrimination/Building-on-our-strengths.aspx
2
provides redress for people who have been discriminated against. The Act
includes a positive duty to eliminate discrimination, which obliges
organisations covered by the law to take proactive, reasonable and
proportionate measures to prevent discrimination from happening.
The Victorian Government also has in place policies and initiatives to support the
State’s cultural, linguistic and religious diversity and tackle racism, led by the VMC,
Office of Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship (OMAC), the Victorian Equal
Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC) and with considerable
leadership shown in sectors such as education, policing and sport. Such policies and
initiatives include:
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Cultural Diversity Week – annual State-wide celebration of Victoria’s cultural,
religious and linguistic diversity, coinciding with the UN Day for the Elimination
of Racism on 21 March.
Multicultural Awards for Excellence Program – annual awards to recognise and
reward the contributions of individuals and organisations that promote the
social, economic and cultural benefits of Victoria’s multicultural community.
Refugee Action Program – partnering with local agencies to work with refugee
communities to identify and respond to their needs and concerns and assist
them to access existing services.
Promoting Harmony and Multifaith initiatives – this includes a grants program to
improve understanding in the wider Victorian community, training and
leadership programs, and a Multifaith Multicultural Youth Network to provide
advice on issues and initiatives that affect young Victorians from CALD
backgrounds.
International Student Care Service – provides information and support to
international students and referral to local services including crisis intervention,
legal issues, health issues and social isolation.
Community Grants Program – $4.5 million program that provides support to
Victoria’s CALD communities, especially new and emerging communities, to
develop and sustain local community organisations and programs; to promote
social, cultural and economic inclusion; and encourage greater community
participation, understanding and mutual respect.
All of Us Teacher Resources Kit - resources to promote positive attitudes
towards diversity within Victorian schools, accompanied by teacher professional
development training.
Regional Advisory Councils – eight Councils across Victoria to work in
partnership with the VMC and local communities and operate as important
conduits for information on regional settlement and multicultural issues.
3
d) VMC Recommendations in Response to the Discussion Paper
Objective 1: Create awareness of racism and how it affects individuals and the
broader community
The VMC supports a holistic response to redressing racism in Australia. This includes
governments at all levels working with the community, business, sporting,
education, unions and media sectors to improve attitudes towards cultural diversity
and difference, and to reduce, prevent and respond to racism.
The VMC believes there is a need for an ongoing and proactive commitment to
multiculturalism and to better value the contributions of diverse communities. A
strong multicultural policy provides the overarching framework for recognising and
valuing diversity and the rights and responsibilities of all people in a multicultural
society, while building an inclusive form of national identity.
The VMC welcomed the release of the Commonwealth Government’s The People of
Australia: Australia’s Multicultural Policy and supports the four multicultural policy
principles contained within, which align with the principles set out in the
Multicultural Victoria Act 2011 (Appendix 1).
Building on this policy and multicultural legislation at the state level, the VMC
believes the Commonwealth Government should enshrine the principles of
multiculturalism in national legislation so as to provide strong recognition of, and
guidance on, Australia’s multiculturalism; demonstrate support for cultural and
linguistic diversity; and oppose all forms of racism.
Recommendation 1 - That the Commonwealth Government, in consultation with the
States and Territories, introduces an Australian Multicultural Act, which defines the
principles and lays the foundations for an open, united and inclusive society, based
on the principles of the Multicultural Victoria Act 2011.
Alongside such multicultural legislation, there is a need for strong and coordinated
institutions, policies and programs to ensure the continuing success of
multiculturalism in Australia and to prevent, and respond to, racism.
Research suggests that preventing and reducing racism is best achieved through a
holistic and multi-faceted approach. Rather than ‘one-size-fits-all’ programs, there is
a need for multiple strategies at multiple levels in ways that support and reinforce
one another.5 Such an approach requires coordination across levels of government
and agencies.
5
VicHealth, 2009, Building on our Strengths, pg. 45, http://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/Programs-andProjects/Freedom-from-discrimination/Building-on-our-strengths.aspx
4
Recommendation 2 – That the National Anti-Racism Strategy be implemented in
close coordination with relevant agencies at the State as well as Federal level.
Research shows that while experiences of racism are prevalent in Australia, their
occurrence varies across different locations and settings and often in specific ways.6
Within Victoria, as across Australia, there are vast differences in the demographics of
local communities. Although the most ethnically and religiously diverse areas of the
State continue to be located in the middle and inner suburbs of Melbourne,
increasing numbers of new arrivals are settling in outer suburban, regional and rural
areas. “Communities and organisations in these areas may have had limited contact
with diverse groups in the past, which can create new challenges”.7
In tackling racism, it is therefore important to consider the social and cultural
context and the differing needs of particular localities.8 This includes acknowledging
that both the level and impetus for racism can change over time, with global events
impacting on local communities, such as the September 2001 terrorist attacks in the
USA and increasing negative stereotyping and racism towards Muslim Australians,
and the need to build community resilience to these impacts. The Mapping Social
Cohesion 2011 report shows that feelings towards immigrants varies depending on
the nationality of the immigrants, with the highest negative feeling in Australia
towards immigrants from Iraq and Lebanon.9 It has also been suggested that there
can be a link between the level of racism experienced across CALD groups “with
reports of physical manifestations of anti-Semitism increasing at times of harassment
of Asian Australians.”10
Recommendation 3 – That the Commonwealth Government support locality-based
approaches to supporting cultural diversity and preventing and preventing and
reducing racism, building on the methodology of existing projects such as Victoria’s
Localities Embracing and Accepting Diversity (LEAD) project.
Anti-racism campaign
A survey of residents in Australian cities found that the overwhelming majority
supported the need for anti-racism initiatives and programs, with only five per cent
saying there was no need for such action.11
Dunn, K., et al. 2009, “Cities of race hatred? The spheres of racism and anti-racism in contemporary
Australian cities”, Cosmopolitan Civil Societies Journal, Vol.1. No1. pg. 4.
7 VicHealth, 2009, Building on our Strengths, http://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/Programs-andProjects/Freedom-from-discrimination/Building-on-our-strengths.aspx
8 Pedersen A et al, “Talk does not cook rice”: Beyond anti-racism rhetoric to strategies for social action”,
Australian Psychologist, March 2005, 40(1): 20-30.
9 Scanlan Foundation, 2011, Mapping Social Cohesion: the Scanlan Foundation Surveys, Monash
University, Australia.
10 Jones, J., September 2011, Anti-Semitism Report 2011, Executive Council of Australian Jewry,
Sydney.
11 Warren as cited in Dunn, K., et al. 2009, “Cities of race hatred? The spheres of racism and antiracism in contemporary Australian cities”, Cosmopolitan Civil Societies Journal, Vol.1. No1. pg. 4.
6
5
The VMC believes that a campaign to prevent and reduce racism must be based
around an acknowledgement of the existence of racism at an everyday level, as well
as in more extreme forms. Research shows that “evasiveness or the downplaying of
racial inequality” can create a supportive environment for racism, leading to its
increase and prevalence.12
VMC consultations with multicultural community organisations highlighted the
linkages between political discourse and community views, for example on refugees
and asylum seekers, and the need for politicians and other leaders across religion,
sport, business and the community to take a proactive stance to speaking out in
support of cultural, linguistic and religious diversity and to denounce incidents of
racism.
Recommendation 4 - That the Commonwealth Government develop an “anti-racism
pledge” including a commitment across Parliament and other community, sporting,
business and religious leaders.
Drawing on strong political and community leadership, an anti-racism campaign
should involve a coordinated national approach that supports tailored campaigns at
the local level, utilising a range of mediums such as social media, advertising,
information kits, and forums and events. The purpose of such a campaign should
include:
 combating false beliefs around migrants, refugees, CALD communities and
Indigenous Australians by providing accurate information and highlighting
and valuing their contributions to Australian society;
 increasing empathy by encouraging people to “walk in the shoes of others”.
Studies show that empathy is positively associated with lower levels of
prejudice and there is some evidence that building empathy can bring about
attitudinal change;13
 encouraging dialogue and discussion on racism and its negative effects; and
 encouraging people to take personal responsibility for racism, including
practical tools for responding to racism.
Recommendation 5 - That a national anti-racism campaign be developed that draws
on leadership across all sectors of society and the stories of individuals to build
responsibility, empathy and disdain for racism, highlighting its negative effects at the
individual, institutional, community and societal level and practical tools for
responding to racism.
Acknowledging the contributions of diverse communities
As well as creating an awareness of racism and how it affects individuals and the
broader community, there is a need to promote a greater understanding of the
Warren as cited in Dunn, K., et al. 2009, “Cities of race hatred? The spheres of racism and anti-racism
in contemporary Australian cities”, Cosmopolitan Civil Societies Journal, Vol.1. No1. pg. 5.
13
VicHealth, 2009, Building on our Strengths, pg. 31, http://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/Programs-andProjects/Freedom-from-discrimination/Building-on-our-strengths.aspx
12
6
benefits that cultural and linguistic diversity brings to Australia, from an economic,
social and cultural point of view, and as a way to strengthen our international links.
Cultural, linguistic and religious diversity has long played a determining role in the
character of life in Victoria. Migrants and refugees have made, and continue to
make, a significant contribution to Victoria’s society, economy and global
competitiveness. Both emerging and established communities contribute to the
State’s vibrancy and prosperity and foster important connections with the rest of the
world.
A recent report commissioned by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship
(DIAC) on the Economic, Social and Civic Contributions of First and Second Generation
Humanitarian Entrants found that humanitarian settlers:
 meet many of the labour shortages in low skill, low status and low paid
occupations;
 display greater entrepreneurial qualities compared with other migrant
groups, with a higher than average proportion engaging in small and medium
business enterprises; and
 facilitate the development of trade between Australia and countries of
origin.14
However, the significant contribution of migrants and refugees to Australia are not
always understood and there are some negative myths in Australian society, such
that migrants and refugees are a welfare burden on the state. There is a need to
refute such myths and highlight the economic, social and cultural contribution of
migrants and refugees.
The Immigration Museum in Victoria provides an important space for exploring the
stories of people from all over the world who have migrated to Australia, including
the reasons for making the journey, the migration process, and the impact on
indigenous communities. Such exhibitions could be drawn on to create resources
that combine historical information, personal stories and research on the
contribution of migrants and refugees from an economic, social and cultural
perspective.
Recommendation 6 – That the Commonwealth Government implement education
initiatives to promote greater understanding of the contribution of migrants and
refugees to Australia, including:
 a grants program to assist community groups to deliver educational
initiatives on the migration process and the benefits cultural, linguistic and
religious diversity brings Australia; and
 a travelling road-show on Australia’s migration history and the contribution
of migrants and refugees to Australia today.
14
Department of Immigration and Citizenship, 2011, A Significant Contribution: The Economic, Social
and Civic Contributions of First and Second Generation Humanitarian Entrants,
http://www.immi.gov.au/media/publications/research/_pdf/CACHE_DUVIE=2e2b4723afa933aa3000954
7b6a2f7f1/economic-social-civic-contributions-booklet2011.pdf
7
There is also a need for greater recognition of the contributions of individuals and
organisations that promote the social, economic and cultural benefits of CALD
communities. This occurs in Victoria through an annual Multicultural Awards for
Excellence ceremony hosted by the Governor of Victoria.
Recommendation 7 - That a national multicultural awards program be established,
recognising contributions across community service, business, the media, the arts
and sport.
Recommendation 8 - that governments at all levels include programs and initiatives
to encourage CALD communities to contribute to all facets of Australian life.
Objective 2: Identify, promote and build on good practice initiatives to prevent and
reduce racism
The VMC supports the areas highlighted in the Discussion Paper for addressing
racism – employment, education, sport, the media and cyber-racism, and believes
that the National Anti-Racism Partnership and Strategy can provide a coordinated
approach for initiatives within such sectors, as well as across such sectors at the local
level. The VMC also recognises the existence of racism and discrimination in other
sectors. In particular, VMC community consultations highlight experiences of
discrimination facing CALD groups in the rental housing market, with rental
applications being continuously rejected. While not exhaustive, highlighted below
are particular areas and initiatives to prevent and reduce racism.
Employment and workplaces
Research highlights that employment and workplaces are important settings for
preventing and reducing racism in Australia, both because they are places in which
racism and discrimination exist, and in which anti-racism, anti-discrimination and
cultural diversity can be supported and enhanced.15 In this sense, workplaces
provide a natural environment for contact between people from diverse
backgrounds and are places where social norms are shaped.16
Harnessing Diversity, a VMC and VEOHRC report from 2008, found evidence of racial
and religious discrimination in employment including discrimination in recruitment;
underemployment and lack of recognition of qualifications; discrimination and
disadvantage in accessing and utilising job search agencies; over-representation of
migrants in low-skilled, low paid employment and in the public sector; and bias
against migrants in promotion.17 Statistics demonstrate significant inequalities
15
VicHealth, 2009, Review of audit and assessment tools, programs and resources in workplace
settings to prevent race-based discrimination and support, pg. 30
diversity.http://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/en/Publications/Freedom-from-discrimination/Addressing-racebased-discrimination-in-workplaces.aspx
16 Ibid.
17 VEOHRC and VMC, 2008, Harnessing Diversity,
http://www.humanrightscommission.vic.gov.au/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=572:harnessin
g-diversity-report-addressing-racial-and-religious-discrimination-in-employment-report&Itemid=690
8
between the employment levels of CALD groups compared with total Victorians,
with, for example an unemployment rate of the Sudan-born at 38.2 per cent
compared to an unemployment rate of 5.4 per cent for total Victoria (2006 Census).
Experiences of racism and discrimination in employment are also commonly raised in
VMC community consultations, with individuals saying they have been refused
interviews or employment opportunities despite possessing the necessary
qualifications and experience. Feedback also emphasises the need for both the
Government and employers to proactively advocate the benefits of a diverse
workforce.
The VMC believes there is a need to facilitate a greater equality of opportunity and
an increased understanding and valuing of cultural diversity within both public and
private sector workplaces.
Analysis of employment in the public sector, at all levels, show the overrepresentation of Anglo-Australians and the under-representation of other groups.
While people born in non-English speaking countries constituted about 21 per cent
of the Australian population in 2006, they constituted only 6 per cent of the
Australian Public Service.18
Recommendation 9 - That all levels of Government lead by example by adopting
employment strategies to encourage greater representation of people with CALD
backgrounds within the public service.
Within the private sector, the VMC believes there is a role for government in
promoting the equity and human rights imperatives, as well as the business benefits
from enhancing cultural diversity in the workplace, such as language skills, global
understanding and links, and new processes and solutions to problem solving. This
could occur through the development of a standard for businesses in “cultural
responsiveness”, with businesses that adhere to certain criteria including a diverse
workforce, and policies, initiatives and training to support and embrace diversity,
being awarded a “standard” that they can promote. Such an initiative would require
ongoing monitoring to ensure businesses continually review and improve their
practices, and to develop tools and good-practice case studies to support businesses
in reaching the standard.
Recommendation 10 – That the Commonwealth Government support the
development of a “cultural responsiveness” standard for business, including targeted,
practical support for small and medium sized businesses to assist them to reach the
standard.
Australian Public Service Commission, 2010 as cited in Dunn K and Nelson J, 2011, “Challenging the
Public Denial of Racism for a Deeper Multiculturalism”, Journal of Intercultural Studies, Vol. 32, No. 6.
18
9
Media and cyber-racism
Media analyses demonstrate evidence of the misrepresentation and underrepresentation of migrants, refugees and CALD communities in the mainstream
media in Australia, and such views have also been raised in VMC community
consultations.19 The Australian Psychological Society highlights issues with the way
CALD communities are portrayed including stereotyping and under-representation in
Australian television drama programs and children’s programming.20 A review of
Australia’s television current affairs by Murdoch University found that diversity of
race, culture and religion is largely absent from the news services, unless people
from CALD backgrounds are posing a social problem of some kind.21
While media agencies often have standards in place to promote diversity, such as
within broadcasting codes of practice, there is a need for greater action to ensure a
more accurate representation of migrants, refugees and CALD communities within
the media, in recognition of the important role of the media in the generation of
public debate, ideas and cultural understanding.
Recommendation 11 – That media organisations put in place cultural diversity plans
to support codes of practice, including:
 cultural competency training for journalists and media producers;
 best-practice guides for journalists; and
 staff exchanges with ethnic media organisations.
The rise of the internet, and social media in particular, has changed the ways in
which people communicate: enabling ideas and images to spread quickly between
large numbers of people across the world.22 Internationally, the number of internet
and new media sites devoted to racism and hate has found to be on the increase.23
More broadly, everyday racism exists online, as it does offline, such as racial
stereotyping and racist remarks on Facebook and other social media platforms.
The principal mechanism for internet content regulation in Australia is set out in the
Broadcasting Services Act. Individuals can make complaints to the Australian
Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) about prohibited content and the
ACMA may issue a notice requiring the content to be removed from the internet.
However, the ACMA system has several limitations in combating racism on the
internet. These include:

Prohibited content does not include content that constitutes racial vilification
or discrimination. The Broadcasting Services Act only regulates content that
Dunn, K, & Nelson, J, December 2011, “Challenging the Public Denial of Racism for a Deeper
Multiculturalism”, Journal of Intercultural Studies, Vol. 32, No. 6, pg. 588.
20 Australian Psychological Society, 2000, Media Representation of Ethnic Groups,
http://www.psychology.org.au/assets/files/media_representations_of_ethnic_groups.pdf
21 Murdoch University, 2009, Reporting diversity: the representation of ethnic minorities in Australia’s
television current affairs, http://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/4630/
22 Australian Human Rights Commission, January 2011, Cyber Racism and Human Rights Fact Sheet,
http://www.hreoc.gov.au/racial_discrimination/publications/cyberracism_factsheet.html
23 Ibid.
19
10


constitutes racial vilification or discrimination by way of codes of practice.
The codes of practice simply set out procedures to be followed in order to
inform producers of internet content about their legal responsibilities in
relation to that content.
The ACMA is dependent on complaints from Australian citizens. No one is
responsible for identifying or monitoring offensive material on the internet.
The ACMA can only issue take-down notices to Australian sites but Australian
material comprises only a very small proportion of the sites accessed by
Australians.
The Racial and Religious Tolerance Act (Vic) covers vilifying conduct using the
internet or email to publish or transmit statements or other material. The RRTA also
covers conduct occurring in or outside Victoria. While there is no express provision
in the Racial Discrimination Act (Cth) which states that it applies to the use of the
internet or to conduct that occurs in or outside of Australia, case law indicates that it
does (see Dow Jones & Co v Gutnick (2002) HCA 56). However, Victoria and
Australia’s current racial vilification laws have so far proved ineffective in dealing
with hate content on the internet, even when the perpetrators have been
identified.24
In general, there are practical difficulties in relation to the enforcement of internet
regulation because, by being both international and anonymous in its nature, the
internet makes it difficult to identify authors and even more difficult to prosecute.25
Recommendation 12 – That the Commonwealth Government undertake a national
review of legislative and policy responses for regulating internet-related racism.
The VMC recognises that legislation cannot be the only response to racism on the
internet. Rather, there is a need for a multi-faceted approach to internet content
including developing anti-racism web-based resources; active partnerships between
internet service providers and government; and educational strategies to ensure
Victorian and Australian internet users are aware of complaint procedures available
through the ACMA to report offensive material.
Recommendation 13 – That the Commonwealth Government develop online
strategies and resources to create awareness of cyber-racism and ways to respond to
it including responding directly online and avenues for reporting and complaints.
24
Deborah Stone, August 2008, To hate, click here: anti-Semitism on the internet, Anti-Defamation
Commission.
25 Ibid.
11
Education and youth
Research on the impact of racism on the health and wellbeing of young Australians
found that the majority of racist incidents faced by young Australians take place
within school settings. Such incidents are common, with 70 per cent of the 823
secondary school students surveyed having experienced at least one of eleven
specified racist scenarios.26
Racism in schools must be tackled given its negative effects on individuals
experiencing racism - stress, insecurity and absenteeism - and on the learning
environment more broadly - generating tensions within school communities and
narrowing the education experience of all students.27 The Foundation for Young
Australia highlights the need for well-targeted professional development of teachers,
school leaders and administrative staff on the effect of personal attitudes and
structural racism on the health and wellbeing of the broader school community.
There is also a need to encourage greater engagement of youth and students from
different cultural and religious backgrounds. The Building Bridges Program, run by
The WellSpring Centre with support by the VMC/Office of Multicultural Affairs, aims
to build trust, understanding and friendship between secondary school students of
different cultural and religious backgrounds, through dialogue and the sharing of
views and experiences, intercultural training, visits to sacred sites and places of
worship and active participation in multicultural society. The program is working
with over 30 Victorian schools including Muslim, Jewish, Catholic, Christian and
Government schools.28 Sport can also provide an excellent vehicle for establishing
norms of behaviour for wider society, and for encouraging participation and
engagement across cultural groups.29 More broadly, initiatives to bring together
students from different cultural backgrounds should include the teaching of
strategies for students to be aware of their prejudices and to respond to incidents of
racism.
Recommendation 14 - That governments provide increased support for anti-racism
strategies in schools, including professional development of teachers and school
leaders, and activities to teach students ways to respond to incidents of racism.
Recommendation 15 – That the Commonwealth Government increase support for
programs encouraging greater participation and engagement of youth from different
cultural backgrounds, such as through sport, and in particular targeting disengaged
or marginalised youth, to help strengthen community connections.
26
Deakin University and Foundation for Young Australians, 2009, The Impact of Racism upon the
Health and Wellbeing of Young Australians, http://www.fya.org.au/wpcontent/uploads/2010/05/CACHE_DUVIE=3702eb21ff5a51df2791f599b28a1afe/Impact_of_Racism_FY
A_report.pdf
27 NSW Department of Education and Training, Racism: No Way, http://www.racismnoway.com.au/
28 For further information visit: http://buildingbridgesmelbourne.wordpress.com/
29 Australian Human Rights Commission, 2007, What’s the score? A survey of cultural diversity and
racism in Australian Sport, http://www.hreoc.gov.au/racial_discrimination/whats_the_score/index.html
12
Good-practice anti-racism website
To help coordinate anti-racism action and initiatives and promote good practice
across sectors and localities, the VMC supports the suggestion put forward in the
Discussion Paper for a good practice anti-racism website. This could build on existing
websites such as Racism, No Way, which provides information and resources for
anti-racism education in Australian schools30 and Everyday People, Every Day Rights,
which provides a space for the Yarra community in Melbourne to share their stories
and learn about how human rights apply to everyday life.31
Recommendation 16 – That a good-practice anti-racism website be established with
examples of tools, initiatives and case studies for preventing and reducing racism for
both individuals and organisations across different sectors: workplaces, the media,
schools, sport and online.
Objective 3: Empower communities and individuals to take action to prevent and
reduce racism and seek redress when it occurs
A strong policy framework and initiatives at the national, state and local level can
play an important role in preventing and reducing racism, however, it is also
important to empower communities and individuals to take action and seek redress
when racism does occur whether in the street, at sporting events, in school yards or
the workplace.
In most cases, individuals do not take action in response to a racist incident. A survey
of Australian cities found that of those that had experienced a racist name or
remark, almost 70 per cent did nothing about the incident.32 This is concerning given
those that take no action in response to racist incidents are more likely to suffer
associated health issues.33
Research shows that people with racist attitudes partly justify their behaviour by
overestimating that those around them share their view.34 There is therefore a need
to encourage people witnessing racism to speak out and calmly let those around
them know they disagree with their actions or remarks. To encourage such
behaviour, individuals and communities need to be made aware of the benefits of
intervening (i.e. so as to counteract the negative social and economic effects of
racism) and tools for doing so, such as conversational skills or “catch phrases”. For
example, the US-based Southern Poverty Law Centre produced Speak up!
30
New South Wales Department of Education and Training, See website at:
http://www.racismnoway.com.au/
31 Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission and Neighbourhood Justice Centre. See
website at:
http://www.humanrightscommission.vic.gov.au/index.php?option=com_k2&view=itemlist&layout=generic
&tag=Race&task=tag&Itemid=511
32 Warren as cited in Dunn, K., et al. 2009, “Cities of race hatred? The spheres of racism and antiracism in contemporary Australian cities”, Cosmopolitan Civil Societies Journal, Vol.1. No1. pg. 5.
33 VicHealth, 2009, Building on our Strengths, pg. 31, http://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/Programs-andProjects/Freedom-from-discrimination/Building-on-our-strengths.aspx
34 Brice-Weller, P & Paradies, Y, How should we discuss racism in Australia? Right Now: Human Rights
in Australia, http://rightnow.org.au/writing-cat/article/how-should-we-discuss-racism-in-australia/
13
Responding to everyday bigotry which presents six steps for speaking up against
everyday bigotry, drawing on personal stories and setting out suggested responses
to counter common stereotypes and misconceptions.35
Recommendation 17 - That a national anti-racism campaign promote the importance
of responding to racism in a safe manner, and practical tools for doing so for both
individuals experiencing racism and those witnessing racism.
There is also a need to ensure individuals are aware of their rights and the avenues
through which they can report racist incidents, whether to the police or human
rights commissions at the state and national level. Research highlights that
individuals often do not feel comfortable or supported to report incidents to such
organisations, and alternative reporting avenues should therefore be considered. For
example, the Victoria Police and the Victorian Jewish community have established a
system to encourage the reporting of anti-Semitic incidents. Members of the
community can report incidents both directly to the police and to the Community
Security Group who then work in partnership to identify trends and ensure
appropriate protection to the Jewish community.
Recommendation 18 – That a national anti-racism campaign promote awareness of
existing racial and religious vilification laws to ensure those affected understand their
rights.
Recommendation 19 – That governments support the development of third party
reporting procedures to encourage greater reporting of racially-motivated hate
activity and crime.
A study by the Australian Institute of Criminology found that migrants were more
likely to feel that assaults and threats perpetrated against them were raciallymotivated, and were more likely to be worried about experiencing a racially-based
attack in the future.36 Providing support to culturally and linguistically diverse
communities, particularly to new and emerging communities, can help strengthen
these communities and reduce feelings of vulnerability to victimisation. Participants
at VMC community consultations emphasised the importance of education programs
for CALD communities, to strengthen their understanding of Victoria as a culturally
diverse society and their citizenship rights. OMAC has recently commenced a Rights
and Responsibilities Seminar Program to provide new and emerging communities
with practical information, for example, about rights and responsibilities in the
workplace, the role of police, and how laws are made in Victoria/Australia. OMAC is
also supporting the African Think Tank to deliver an African Community Leadership
Program over the next three years. The Program will incorporate a series of seminars
for future leaders, focusing on advocacy, mentoring, grant writing and media
engagement.
35
Southern Poverty Law Centre, Speak Up: Responding to Everyday Bigotry,
http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/publications/speak-up-responding-to-everyday-bigotry?page=0,35
36 Johnson, H, August 2005, ‘Experiences of crime in two selected migrant communities’, Trends and
Issues in Crime and Criminal Justice, Australian Institute of Criminology, No. 302, pp. 1
14
Recommendation 20 – That the Commonwealth Government provide support for
public advocacy skills and community education programs for new and emerging
communities.
There is also a need to encourage greater interaction between people of different
racial, ethnic, cultural and religious groups across Australia. At VMC community
consultations, participants discussed the need to bring together communities and
dedicate more resources toward promoting mutual respect and understanding
between cultures, with the dual benefits of increasing unity and understanding
between communities, and strengthening cross-community networks and support
services to assist newly arrived migrants and refugees.
The Victorian Government provides support for such initiatives including the
Multifaith Multicultural Youth Network and Multifaith Grants. In addition, the Unity
Through Partnership grants provide support for festivals and events that foster
cross-cultural connections by encouraging organisations from different cultural and
linguistic backgrounds to work in partnership. There are also good examples of
community initiatives such as the Islamic Council of Victoria organising an informal
anti-vilification group with representatives from different religious groups between
2002 and 2004. Group members would share information and consult with each
other on how to respond to religious attacks. This was seen to empower all groups to
speak out in support of one another.
Recommendation 21 – That the Commonwealth Government provide increased
support for intercultural and interfaith programs which strengthen links between
different segments of society.
Finally, there is a need for government at all levels to encourage members of the
community to discuss issues of racism and how it can best be prevented and
responded too. Research shows that it is more effective to have participants engage
in dialogue, rather than being “talked at” in relation to racism and anti-racism.37 For
example, a forum for respondents from across Australia to discuss issues regarding
Indigenous Australians and reconciliation found that after intense discussion, there
were marked shifts in reported knowledge of Indigenous concerns and increased
support for reconciliation.38 Such forums should encourage understanding, mutual
respect and ongoing dialogue.
Recommendation 22 – That government at all levels support public forums to
encourage greater cultural understanding, the promotion of multiculturalism and
discussion on racism and its impacts, including around memorable dates such as the
International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
Pedersen A et al, “Talk does not cook rice”: Beyond anti-racism rhetoric to strategies for social
action”, Australian Psychologist, March 2005, 40(1): 20-30.
38 Ibid.
37
15
Appendix 1
Principles of Multiculturalism
Multicultural Victoria Act 2011 (Part 2, Section 4)
(1) The Parliament recognises that the people of Victoria are united in their shared
commitment to—
(a) a democratic framework governed by the rule of law; and
(b) Victoria and Australia and to the people, interests and future of
Victoria and Australia.
(2) The Parliament further recognises that all Victorians come from diverse
backgrounds and values the richness that such diversity brings to the Victorian
community.
(3) The Parliament supports the rights and responsibilities of citizenship to which
subsection (1) refers and promotes the diversity to which subsection (2) refers
by recognising the following principles of multiculturalism —
(a) all individuals in Victoria are entitled to mutual respect and
understanding regardless of their diverse backgrounds;
(b) all individuals and institutions in Victoria should promote and
preserve diversity within the context of shared laws, values,
aspirations and responsibilities;
(c) all individuals in Victoria (regardless of background) have shown
that they can work together to build a positive and progressive future
and this co-operation is to be encouraged so as to enhance Victoria as
a great place in which to live;
(d) all individuals in Victoria are equally entitled to access
opportunities and participate in and contribute to the social, cultural,
economic and political life of the State;
(e) all individuals in Victoria have a responsibility to abide by the
State's laws and respect the democratic processes under which those
laws are made;
(f) all individuals in Victoria should be united in a shared commitment
to Australia and to community service;
(g) all individuals and institutions should recognise Victoria's diversity
as an asset and a valuable resource benefiting Australia.
16