August 2017

Hello,

and welcome to my monthly update on my activities.

Incidents of racism and bigotry

It has been concerning to see numerous incidents of public racism and bigotry reported in the national media. This includes ugly racist posters on the streets of Sydney’s inner west and Brisbane’s north, offensive flyers and graffiti targeting Chinese university students in Melbourne and Sydney, and intimidation directed at the Islamic College of Brisbane.

Social media comment on the incident in Brisbane

These incidents reflect extremist elements being emboldened to spread hatred in public. We must, as always, remain vigilant about racism and bigotry.

Public debates, racism and mental health

Unfortunately, some racism has also been apparent in our public debates. Racially charged outbursts, whether entertaining violence against others or reveling in the extinction of some races, can’t be justified as “larrikinism”. They go way beyond that, and deserve our condemnation.

The same applies to commentary that resorts to telling people to “go back to where they came from”. As I said to SBS World News, I hope such commentary doesn’t deter people from speaking up about issues because they fear they might become targets of racism. A multicultural Australia should have multicultural voices in its public debates.

My comments to SBS World News

I also joined the ABC’s It’s Not a Race podcast to reflect on how Australian society talks about racism. And in a speech to a Western Australian Association for Mental Health forum, I reflected on racism, multiculturalism and mental health.

Speaking at the WA Multicultural Mental Health Forum

Racism. It Stops With Me

A warm welcome to our newest supporters of ‘Racism. It Stops With Me’: the NSW Council of Social Service (NCOSS) and the WA Council of Social Service (WACOSS).

Congratulations to the Ballarat City Football Club and the Ballarat Regional Multicultural Council who have been named Supporters of the Month. Thank you to all supporters of the campaign that have taken a stand against racism.

Ballarat City Football Club and Ballarat Regional Multicultural Council – our ‘Racism. It Stops With Me’ supporters of the month

Since 2012, 455 organisations have supported the campaign and demonstrated their commitment to stopping incidents of racism in our society. Here’s how your organisation can also get involved.

I had the pleasure while in Perth to catch up with one of our WA supporters, the West Coast Eagles football club, which joined the campaign in 2016 and recently launched their Reconciliation Action Plan.

Meeting with Racism. It Stops With Me supporter West Coast Eagles

Student Prize Competition 2017

There is just over one month remaining to make submissions to my annual student essay prize competition. Entries close on 15 September 2017 and the winner will be announced at the annual Kep Enderby Memorial Lecture in October. Here are more details about the competition.

Entries will be accepted for my student essay competition until 15 September 2017

Cultural diversity, leadership and national identity

While in Perth, I was pleased to speak at the launch of the WA branch of Asian Australian Lawyers Association, which was also attended by AALA’s patron, former High Court Justice Michael Kirby.

At the launch of the WA branch of the Asian Australian Lawyers Association

And in Adelaide I joined the National Australia Day Council’s conference for a discussion about national days and national identity.

A panel discussion at the NADC’s conference in Adelaide

I also joined the Committee for Sydney to speak to members about cultural diversity and leadership. On this topic, Tony Johnson (CEO of EY Oceania, and a member of the Leadership Council on Cultural Diversity) shared some of his reflections on the Leadership Council’s website.

Human Rights Delegation to Laos

I was honoured to be part of the Australian Government’s delegation to Laos to participate in the 5th Australia-Lao PDR Human Rights Dialogue. The Human Rights Dialogue is a biennial meeting between the Australian and Lao governments to discuss a range of human rights issues.

Participants in the 5th Australia-Lao PDR Human Rights Dialogue

While in Vientiane, I had the opportunity to speak to students at the National University of Laos and participate in a workshop on social inclusion.

With students from the National University of Laos

The panel at the social inclusion workshop in Vientiane

On the way back from Laos, I also stopped in Bangkok to meet with my counterparts at the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand and with Ministry of Justice officials.

With officials from the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand and staff from the Australian Embassy in Bangkok

Until next month,

Tim

July 2017

Hello,

and welcome to my monthly update on my activities.

Strengthening Multiculturalism

I was delighted to join Diversity Arts Australia’s symposium, where I reflected on the importance of the arts and media in reflecting our multiculturalism. There’s room for improvement, as many would agree. And it’s vital we get it right: when people don’t see themselves in the stories we tell as a nation, it can undermine our national unity and social cohesion.

Speaking at the Diversity Arts Australia Symposium

In late June, I appeared as a witness at the Select Committee on Strengthening Multiculturalism’s public hearing. In the Commission’s submission and in my opening statement, I identified ways our multiculturalism could be strengthened including through renewed political and civic leadership.

I also joined the Asia Society for the launch of Disruptive Asia, a publication on Australia and Asia, to which I contributed an essay.

With Philipp Ivanov, Anushka Patel and Dermot O’Gorman on the Disruptive Asia panel

Queensland visit

In partnership with my colleagues at the Anti-Discrimination Commission QLD, I visited a number of communities in Queensland’s regions in June to discuss community harmony and racial tolerance.

Hearing from the Sunshine Coast at a community workshop

It was wonderful to meet members of the community – and talk about how we can make our communities safer and more inclusive. Thanks to all those who attended our events.

With Queensland Anti-Discrimination Commissioner, Kevin Cocks, his staff and members of the Hervey Bay community

Talking about race

It was disappointing to see a controversy regarding some comments made about Asians in an ABC Melbourne radio interview. As I said to Fairfax Media, it’s important to discuss race, but let’s do it with respect. Too often prejudice is tolerated as good-natured banter, when it should be rejected for the racism it represents.

We did have a good example of how talking about race can be done the right way, with humour, via this new campaign from our colleagues at the New Zealand Human Rights Commission. Watch this space, as we have some new developments with our Racism. It Stops with Me campaign which I can share with you soon.

The New Zealand Human Rights Commission’s “Give nothing to racism” video

Cultural diversity and leadership

There has been some media misrepresentation about some of the work I’ve done on cultural diversity and inclusion, to which I’ve responded in the Daily Telegraph.

The Leading for Change Blueprint report which I produced last year in partnership with the University of Sydney Business School, PwC, Westpac and Telstra, provided a snapshot of the cultural backgrounds of our senior leaders in Australia. It found a significant under-representation of cultural diversity in the senior leadership of business, politics, government and higher education.

We should be mature enough to talk about why, for all the talents in our multicultural society, we are yet to see much diversity in the leadership of Australian institutions and organisations.

Leading for Change – A blueprint for cultural diversity and inclusive leadership

A few other things …

• My speech to the Progress 2017 conference on progress and power
• A speech to Hurlstone Agricultural High School on human rights and loving your country
• My annual Student Prize is open to entries from students in Years 10 and 11 (more details can be found here)

Until next month,

Tim

June 2017

Hello,

and welcome to my monthly update on my activities.

Liberty and security

Recent weeks have seen renewed debates about security and terrorism. The loss of innocent life in London and Melbourne remind us of the threat posed by violent extremism.

It has been concerning, however, that some have been calling for the mass internment of Muslims in Australia. As I said to Fairfax Media, internment would involve a violation of liberty and the rule of law, entrench division, and play right into the hands of extremists.

German internees during WWI in Sydney (via SMH)

Multiculturalism and citizenship

I spoke at the Progress 2017 conference in Melbourne, where I reflected on the state of our race relations and community harmony.

The Commission has made submissions to a parliamentary committee inquiring into multiculturalism. This includes a number of recommendations about how we can strengthen Australia’s policy of multiculturalism.

We have also made a submission about proposed changes to the Australian citizenship test. The proposed changes about English language testing and integration, in particular, are of concern.

Abuse and bigotry

The past month has seen a disturbing number of incidents involving racial abuse and religious bigotry, including attacks on Muslim women wearing the hijab, abuse on public transport and on airplanes, and incidents on Fox’s AFL show Bounce and Channel 9’s The Footy Show.

‘White nationalist’ propaganda posters have also been plastered prominently around Perth. Neo-Nazi groups appear to be emboldened.

It is important that we hold racism to account. If you witness racial abuse or bigotry, and it’s safe to do so, consider speaking up. You can also report racism or lend support to someone on the receiving end.

Speaking to ABC News about racist incidents on public transport

Racism. It Stops With Me

If you or your organisation want to take a stand against racism, you can join our ‘Racism. It Stops with Me’ campaign.

A warm welcome to our newest supporters: Southern Migrant & Refugee Centre, the NSW Department of Family and Community Services, Our Race Pty Ltd and the Ethnic Communities Council of NSW. I was pleased to join ECC NSW for their campaign launch this month.

The Ethnic Communities Council of NSW are among the newest supporters of Racism. It Stops With Me

We now have 362 active organisational supporters of the campaign and countless more individuals have pledge to make racism stop with them.

Cultural Diversity and Inclusive Leadership

I was pleased to join the launch of the Asian Leadership Project, a new initiative to help fast track culturally diverse talent.

With (l-r) Ken Woo (PwC), Julie Chai (Asian Leadership Project) and Jessica Wirawan (PwC)

In May, I also met with the Attorney General’s Department CALD Network group and spoke to the Department’s staff about getting the most out of our cultural diversity.

With Attorney General Department Secretary, Chris Moraitis and CALD Network members

In other news …

This month, the Commission hosted a delegation from the ASEAN Committee of Permanent Representatives. It was great to meet with the ambassadors from the ASEAN member states, along with Australia’s ambassador to ASEAN Jane Duke, to discuss governance and human rights issues within the region.

Meeting with the delegation from the ASEAN Committee of Permanent Representatives

Finally, we are accepting entries for my annual Student Prize until 15 September 2017. All students in Australia in Years 10 and 11 are eligible to enter.

Until next month,

Tim

May 2017

Hello,

and welcome to my monthly update on my activities.

Inclusion and citizenship

There have been a number of recent major announcements concerning citizenship and immigration — including some changes to the Australian citizenship test, relating to Australian values and English proficiency. I reflected on this in a recent speech to the Australian Education Union Victoria Principals’ Conference.

As I said in my speech, we must never flinch from insisting that our multicultural society must abide by liberal democratic values. However, we must always take care to prevent citizenship being understood as a device for exclusion. One potential danger with the proposed changes to the citizenship test, particularly concerning English proficiency, is it could erect some barriers to immigrants becoming Australian citizens within a reasonable time.

The Racial Discrimination Act: taking stock

I was also pleased to speak at the Affinity Intercultural Foundation about racial tolerance and harmony. The speech was an occasion for me to take stock on the state of our race relations, following recent debates about section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act.

With Ahmet Polat and Philippa McDonald at the Affinity Intercultural Foundation

Thanks to Bench TV for having me on to explain how the Racial Discrimination Act works. You can watch the full discussion by clicking on the image below.

Speaking about the Racial Discrimination Act for BenchTV

Cultural diversity in leadership and media

Here are some video highlights of our recent launch of the Leadership Council for Cultural Diversity. The Council will meet periodically throughout the year and is committed to improving the representation of cultural diversity within the leadership of Australian organisations.

You can sign up through the website to receive updates and further information.

Leadership Council on Cultural Diversity video

Last month also saw the launch of Media Diversity Australia, a non-profit organisation committed to improving cultural diversity and representation in the media. This is a welcome development for the field and I am delighted to be supporting the organisation as a member of its advisory board. As I’ve said before, Australia’s cultural diversity is not yet reflected in its media — something we must do better on.

Student Prize

The 2017 Race Discrimination Commissioner’s Student Prize competition is now open for entries. This is an annual competition for school students aimed to promote research and discussion of racism among young people.

Students in Years 10 or 11 at any Australian school are eligible to enter through writing an essay or recording a speech answering a set question. The winning student and their school will be awarded book vouchers from Dymocks worth $150 and $500 respectively.

Entries close 15 September 2017.

With Mohamed Semra, the 2016 Race Discrimination Commissioner’s Student Prize winner

Racism. It Stops With Me

Congratulations to Essendon Football Club, which is our Supporter of the Month. Essendon has continued to take a strong stand against racism this past month.

At its recent match with Adelaide, it sent a strong statement about not accepting racism – including through a ‘Racism. It Stops with Me’ banner. It is great to see Essendon and other AFL clubs taking a stand.

Congratulations to Essendon Football Club for their Racism. It Stops With Me banner

Congratulations also to supporters Netball Australia and Netball NSW, which recently held an ‘All Stars’ Harmony Day match.

One Netball ‘All Stars’ event marking Harmony Day and supporting Racism. It Stops With Me. Photo: Narelle Spangher

And a warm welcome to the NSW Gymnastics Association, our newest supporter of the Racism. It Stops With Me campaign. We now have 357 active supporters from a wide variety of industries including sport, business, government, unions and NGOs.

Incidents of racism

There have been a number of incidents of racism, which have been reported prominently during the past month – including some shop keepers refusing service to certain people because of their race or national origin. It is against the law to refuse service to someone based on their race, colour, descent, national or ethnic origin or immigrant status.

If someone believes they have experienced racial discrimination, they may consider lodging a complaint with the Australian Human Rights Commission. The Commission may then attempt to conciliate the matter between the parties involved.

Until next month,

Tim

April 2017

Hello,

and welcome to my monthly update of my activities.

The Racial Discrimination Act and related legislation

The proposed legislative changes to Part IIA of the Racial Discrimination Act were voted down by the Senate last week. It is welcome that the Act remains in its current form. In the recent debate we’ve had, mainstream Australia has sent a clear message that racism is unacceptable. We must not do anything to embolden any racial discrimination or hatred.

As I have stated, sections 18C and 18D of the Act strike an appropriate balance between freedom from racial vilification and freedom of expression. There was a serious risk that a change to the Act would have encouraged people to believe offending, insulting and humiliating others on racial grounds was acceptable. These were matters dealt with in interviews I had with Fran Kelly on RN Breakfast and Kim Landers on AM.

The Parliament has, however, passed amendments to the Australian Human Rights Commission Act, relating to the Commission’s complaint handling function. Many of these amendments reflect the Commission’s submissions to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights’ recent inquiry. The Commission has long requested some legislative changes to its complaints process, which would assist it in dealing with vexatious and unmeritorious complaints.

Appearing before the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee, which conducted a snap inquiry into the Human Rights Legislative Amendments Bill

Complaints and my role as Commissioner

Within recent media reports and commentary, there continue to be inaccurate characterisations of me having ‘urged’ or ‘encouraged’ complaints to the Commission. As Commissioner, I regularly inform people about their right to lodge a complaint if they believe they have experienced racial hatred. It is wrong to suggest that giving this information amounts to soliciting complaints.

Here is a statement I released on this issue on 20 March.

Cultural Diversity and Leadership

On 21 March, I was excited to launch the Leadership Council on Cultural Diversity at the Commonwealth Bank in Sydney. The Council brings together CEOs and senior leaders from Australian business, government, media and academia to promote cultural diversity in leadership.

The launch event included a panel discussion with Council members Michelle Guthrie (Managing Director, ABC) and Ian Narev (CEO, Commonwealth Bank), alongside author Benjamin Law and Amnesty International’s Roxanne Moore.

You can find out more about the Council through this new website, where you can also sign up to receive regular updates.

With new Leadership Council members Prof Peter Hoj, Ian Narev, Michelle Guthrie, Tony Johnson and Dr Martin Parkinson (l-r)

I was also pleased to attend the cultural diversity pledge made by the managing partners of law firms Corrs Chambers Westgarth, Minter Ellison, Clayton Utz, Henry Davis York, Herbert Smith Freehills, Ashurst, Allens, DLA Piper, King & Wood Mallesons, Norton Rose Fulbright and Baker & McKenzie. It is encouraging to see the legal profession work to harness all of the talent within its ranks.

With Managing Partners and senior staff of law firms who have signed the Cultural Diversity pledge

I spoke to SBS World News about the under-representation of cultural diversity in the leadership of Australian organisations, and how we can improve. This was also the focus of speeches and panel discussions at AsiaLink Leaders, the Department of Finance, the Department of Social Services, NSW Department of Premier & Cabinet, and the Commonwealth Bank.

Speaking with SBS World News

With Deng Adut and Ming Long at Commonwealth Bank’s Mosaic speaker series

With Department of Finance Deputy Secretary Kerri Hartland

With the co-chairs of the Department of Social Services Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff network meeting

The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

On 21 March, we marked the UN International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, better known to many as Harmony Day. Here’s my message about the day (video + text).

I was delighted to host a morning tea at the Commission for community and civil society organisations, anti-racism advocates and young people. Thank you to students from Holroyd High School who offered their personal reflections about the day and to all those who attended.

Morning tea for the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

With student leaders from Holroyd High School

Racism. It Stops With Me

Welcome to Victoria University, our newest supporter of the Racism. It Stops With Me campaign.

Last month I met with campaign supporter and public transport company Transdev to discuss incidents of racism on public transport. Unfortunately, we have recently seen a number of concerning reports about racial harassment and abuse in public. If you feel safe doing so, speaking up when you witness a racist incident may help to diffuse the situation, support the victim and may make the perpetrator think about their actions. Our Tips for Bystanders is a useful resources if you’re not sure what to do.

With Rene Lalande, CEO of Transdev

I also had the pleasure of speaking about moral courage at a graduation ceremony at UniSA, a longstanding supporter of the campaign.

News from supporters

Play by the Rules, the national organisation promoting a safe, fair and inclusive environment in sport and recreation, has recently launched its Let Kids be Kids campaign. The campaign focuses on the poor sideline behaviour of adults at junior sport events. For more information on what you can do, check out the toolkit.

Until next month,

Tim

March 2017

Hello,

and welcome to my monthly update of my activities.

The Racial Discrimination Act 

The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights released its ‘Freedom of Speech in Australia‘ report on 28 February. The report makes no recommendations for changing sections 18C and 18D of the Racial Discrimination Act (RDA). It does, however, make some recommendations about better educating the Australian public about racism and the RDA, and about amending the Australian Human Rights Commission Act’s provisions concerning the Commission’s complaints-handling.

The Commission supports strengthening our complaints-handling process and made numerous recommendations to the Joint Committee about the Australian Human Rights Commission Act. We maintain our view that sections 18C and 18D of the RDA strike an appropriate balance between freedom of speech and freedom from racial discrimination.

As I said to the ABC, the Joint Committee’s report demonstrates there is no consensus for changing the Racial Discrimination Act. The absence of any recommendation for changing sections 18C and 18D reflects the absence of a compelling case for change. Moreover, now would be a very dangerous time to weaken protections against racial vilification, as I made clear in a recent speech at Adelaide Law School (an excerpt of which was published in the Huffington Post).

Speaking with News 24 about the Parliamentary Joint Committee’s report

New research shows an overwhelming majority of Australian’s supporting existing protections against racial hatred. More than 75 per cent support the status quo, with fewer than 10 per cent believing it should be lawful to insult, offend, humiliate or intimidate someone because of their race.

Racism. It Stops With Me

Welcome to the Equal Employment Opportunity Network and the Australasian College of Sport and Exercise Physicians, our newest supporters of the Racism. It Stops With Me campaign.

We now have 355 active supporters from a wide variety of industries including sport, business, government, unions and NGOs.

Racism. It Stops With Me

Multiculturalism, immigration and communities

At a recent Senate Estimates hearing, I was asked about the impact of debates about immigration on race relations. As I said to senators, it is important we conduct our debates the right way and we adhere to liberal democratic values. This includes maintaining our commitment to a non-discriminatory immigration policy that makes no distinction based on race or religion. I made similar comments to this Financial Times report on our immigration debates.

Appearing at the Senate Estimates Hearing in Canberra

Last month, I visited Maribyrnong College in Melbourne, where I spoke to the students about multiculturalism and racial tolerance.

With student leaders from Maribyrnong College

I also had the opportunity to catch up with staff at the Australian Migrant Resource Centre in Adelaide, who do important work helping newly arrived migrants settle into Australian life.

With staff at the Australian Migrant Resource Centre in Adelaide

In case you missed it …

• The Australian Human Rights Commission and the Racial Discrimination Act: setting the record straight (article for Law Society of NSW Journal)
• Information about the QUT and Bill Leak section 18C matters

Until next month,

Tim

February 2017

Hello,

and welcome to my first monthly update for 2017.

The Racial Discrimination Act

The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights’ has continued its ‘Freedom of speech’ inquiry, which began last November. The inquiry has received over 11,000 submissions, form letters and correspondence and is due to report by 28 February 2017. Many of the submissions, and many of the inquiry witnesses, have expressed concerns about the effects of any weakening of the Act, especially the message it may send about racism.

In its submission to the inquiry, the Australian Human Rights Commission has made clear it believes Part IIA of the Racial Discrimination Act strikes an appropriate balance between freedom of speech and freedom from racial vilification. The Commission has proposed some changes to the Australian Human Rights Commission Act that governs the Commission’s complaints handling. As I have recently repeated, I do not believe there is a persuasive case for amending section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act.

However, it is clear that misconceptions remain about the Act and how the Australian Human Rights Commission administers it. This factsheet and my recent article in the Law Society of NSW Law Journal aim to provide some facts and clarification.

Part IIA of the RDA strikes the appropriate balance between freedom of speech and freedom from racial vilification

Racism. It Stops With Me

A warm welcome to St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney and Ballarat City Football Club, our latest supporters of the Racism. It Stops With Me campaign. There are now well over 350 supporters of the campaign. If you have not already done so, I encourage your organisation to consider joining the campaign.

Our Tips for Bystanders factsheet remains an important and useful source of information for what to do if you witness a racist incident but aren’t sure how to respond.

Our Tips for bystanders factsheet provides information and options on what to do if you witness racism

Establishment of the Leadership Council on Cultural Diversity

Last December, we announced the formation of a Leadership Council on Cultural Diversity, which brings together senior leaders in business, government and higher education to help lead advocacy on cultural diversity in Australian corporate and professional life. The creation of the Council follows our Leading for Change blueprint, which was published last year.

The founding members of the Council are John Denton (CEO, Corrs Chambers Westgarth), Michelle Guthrie (MD, Australian Broadcasting Corporation), Prof. Peter Hoj (Vice-Chancellor, The University of Queensland), Tony Johnson (Managing Partner and CEO, EY Oceania), Tan Le (CEO, Emotiv), Ian Narev (CEO, Commonwealth Bank), Dr Martin Parkinson (Secretary, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet), Luke Sayers (CEO, PwC Australia).

The Council will have its first meeting and event in March, with other events later in the year. Please stay tuned.

And more on multiculturalism and cultural diversity …

Late last year, I joined the Australian Institute of Company Directors’ The Boardroom Report to discuss the findings of our landmark Leading for Change report on cultural diversity and inclusive leadership.

Interview with AICD’s The Boardroom Report

I also spoke to the ABC’s Australia Wide program to mark the Lunar New Year and explore how we might move beyond our cultural festivals and feast into a more comprehensive embrace of our diversity and multicultural character.

Speaking to ABC’s Australia Wide

Finally, thank you to the Australia Refugee Association and Multicultural Communities Council of SA for a warm welcome in Adelaide. I look forward to the many organisations and communities I will be meeting with over the course of 2017.

With some staff and board members of the Australian Refugee Association

Speaking at the Multicultural Communities Council of SA’s Racial Discrimination Act Forum

In case you missed it …

• Our Leading for Change blueprint for cultural diversity and inclusive leadership (July 2016)
• Thoughts on populism, race and democracy (September 2016)
• Our Building Belonging resources on cultural diversity for early childhood educators and parents (October 2016)
• Our submission to the Migrant Settlement Outcomes inquiry (January 2017)

Until next month,

Tim

2016: The Year in Review

Hello,

As 2016 draws to a close, I wanted to thank all those who have stood up against racism and spoken up for multicultural Australia. It has been a year when we have seen profound challenges in the form of xenophobia and intolerance. If the price of liberty is eternal vigilance, we have every reason to be vigilant on race relations and community harmony.

The Racial Discrimination Act

The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights is conducting an inquiry into freedom of speech and Part IIA of the Racial Discrimination Act. The Committee will now be taking submissions until 23 December 2016. I would encourage all those with an interest to consider making a submission.

Along with other members of the Australian Human Rights Commission, I appeared at a hearing the Committee held in Canberra. As I made clear in that hearing, I do not believe there should be amendments to section 18C and 18D. The Act is our legislative statement against racial discrimination and must continue to send a strong message to our society that racism of all forms is unacceptable.

The Commission’s submission makes clear that we believe sections 18C and 18D strike an appropriate balance between freedom of speech and freedom from racial vilification. Here’s our fact sheet on sections 18C and 18D of the Act, and how they operate.

Race hate and the RDA are covered in the Commission’s latest fact sheet

Racial tolerance and community harmony

This year has seen a lot of political rhetoric about immigration and multiculturalism, which has not been helpful for our social cohesion. It’s important that we have leadership on such matters. Our public debates do help to set the tone of our society.

In the weeks following the Federal Election in July, I made various public statements about the importance of responding to racial and religious intolerance, including in the Sydney Morning Herald, Guardian Australia, the Guardian Australia’s Australian Politics Live Podcast, the ABC (online, The World Today, RN Breakfast), A Current Affair and Sky News.

 

Interview with Sky News Australia in the wake of the election

Speaking with A Current Affair

Some perspective is also needed on race relations right now. According to the Scanlon Foundation’s latest Mapping Social Cohesion survey, 83 per cent of respondents agreed that multiculturalism is good for Australia. As I make clear in my comment for the Sydney Morning Herald, the findings demonstrate that there is no ‘silent majority’ of racists in Australia.

Cultural Diversity and Inclusive Leadership Blueprint

One of our highlights this year was the launch of Leading for Change: A blueprint for cultural diversity and inclusive leadership in July. The report is the product of the Cultural Diversity and Inclusive Leadership Working Group I established last year that included representatives from Westpac, PwC Australia, The University of Sydney Business School and Telstra.

Cultural Diversity and Inclusive Leadership Working Group members with Brian Hartzer, CEO Westpac

The report is a landmark study of cultural diversity at the executive leadership levels of our public companies, public service, federal parliament and universities. In each of these sectors, those with a non-European cultural background made up no more than 5 per cent of senior leaders. Find out more by clicking on the image below to view our video on what cultural diversity in leadership might look like in ten years’ time.

Video: Leading for Change

With Luke Sayers, CEO of PwC Australia, at the Melbourne launch of Leading for Change

At the Canberra launch of the Blueprint, hosted by Dr Martin Parkinson and the APS 200 group

The blueprint’s release has received extensive coverage, including in the Sydney Morning Herald and the Age, the ABC, the Guardian and the Australian Financial Review. I also wrote an opinion piece for the Sydney Morning Herald and the Age, and joined ABC News Breakfast and the Drum. Throughout August, September and October, I spoke about the Blueprint at more than 30 events across the country.

On ABC News Breakfast

Building on the Blueprint’s findings, I have established a Leadership Council on Cultural Diversity which will meet for the first time in early 2017. The Council’s founding members are John Denton AO (CEO and Partner, Corrs Chambers Westgarth), Michelle Guthrie (Managing Director, Australian Broadcasting Corporation), Peter Hoj (Vice-Chancellor, The University of Queensland), Tony Johnson (Managing Partner and CEO, EY Oceania), Tan Le (Founder and CEO, Emotiv), Ian Narev (CEO, Commonwealth Bank), Dr Martin Parkinson PSM (Secretary, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet) and Luke Sayers (CEO, PwC Australia).

Cultural diversity in media

Early in the year, we hosted a RightsTalk on media and diversity. We had a great discussion with Victorian Multicultural Commissioner Helen Kapalos, writer Benjamin Law (creator of SBS’s The Family Law) and actor and comedian Rob Shehadie (co-creator of Nine’s Here Come the Habibs).

You can watch the event in full here or visit my Facebook page to hear a few brief words from the speakers directly.

With Rob Shehadie, Helen Kapalos and Benjamin Law at the Media and Diversity Rights Talk

Student Prize and Kep Enderby Memorial Lecture

This year, we inaugurated a new annual Student Prize competition open to students in Years 10 and 11 who submitted a speech or essay about racism. This year’s winner was Mohamed Semra, a Year 11 student from Maribyrnong College in Melbourne for his essay on his experience growing up in Sudan and in Australia.

With Mohamed Semra, Student Prize winner

Mohamed’s prize was awarded at the 2nd Annual Kep Enderby Memorial Lecture, which was delivered by David Morrison AO, Australian of the Year 2016. Mr Morrison examined how and why Australia is at its best when we embrace the world around us rather than turn inwards.

With David Morrison AO guest speaker at the Kep Enderby Memorial Lecture

National Anti-Racism Strategy and Racism. It Stops With Me

I’m pleased to say that the National Anti-Racism Strategy and the Racism. It Stops With Me campaign has had another successful year. Running since 2012, the campaign focuses on public awareness and education to promote a clear understanding of what racism is, how it can be prevented and what can be done when it is witnessed.

With school captains of Burwood Girls’ High at a morning tea to mark International Day for the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination

This year, the Department of Human Services joined the strategy partnership and the number of organisational supporters increased by more than 10% to a total of 352 with many more individuals pledging their support online.

Supporter of the month for September: UTS takes a stand against Racism

Congratulations to the National Ethnic and Multicultural Broadcasters’ Council who recently took out the Racism. It Stops With Me Award from a competitive field at the annual Human Rights Awards in Sydney.

As part of the National Anti-Racism Strategy, we also developed a series of early childhood education resources. The Building Belonging materials are a comprehensive toolkit – including an ebook, song with actions, educator guide, posters and lesson plans – focussed on encouraging respect for cultural diversity and tackling racial prejudice in early childhood settings.

Our new ‘Building belonging’ resource for early childhood educators

The Racism. It Stops With Me website also has a huge range of resources available to the public. Find out more about becoming a formal organisational supporter.

Selected Articles, Speeches, Interviews and Panels

Here are some articles, speeches and interviews that may be of interest. All articles and speeches from the year can be found here and here.

Articles

National days should prompt reflection as well as inspire pride, Sydney Morning Herald, 22 January 2016

Pauline Hanson might be back but Australia has moved on, Sydney Morning Herald, 5 July 2016

Diversity is more than just souvlaki and dragon dance, Sydney Morning Herald, 29 July 2016

We can’t eradicate racism but telling its targets to grin and bear it isn’t good enough, Guardian Australia, 21 September 2016

There isn’t a silent majority of racists in Australia, Sydney Morning Herald, 28 November 2016

Speeches

The Success of Australia’s Multiculturalism, Speech given at the Sydney Institute, 9 March 2016

Knowing thyself, Speech given at University of Sydney Graduation Ceremony, 13 May 2016

Leading by example, The Walter Lippmann Memorial Oration, ECCV, 25 May 2016

The passions, race and cultural diversity, The Vincent Fairfax Ethics in Leadership Oration, Ormond College – University of Melbourne, 23 June 2016

Populism, Race and Democracy, Speech given at The Festival of Democracy, The University of Sydney, 6 September 2016

Responding to Intolerance, Speech given at the Herbert and Valmae Freilich Foundation’s Annual Lecture in Bigotry and Intolerance, Australian National University, 21 September 2016

Interviews/Panels

One Plus One: Tim Soutphommasane ABC, 25 February 2016

Do we see a diversity of views and faces across our media platforms?, ABC Drum, 3 May 2016

The Danger of Ideas Sydney Writers Festival, 19 May 2016

Race Discrimination Commissioner says there’s ‘no excuse for xenophobia’, RN Breakfast, 5 July 2016

The Bamboo ceiling, Festival of Dangerous Ideas, 3 September 2016

How immigration shaped Australia, Defining Moments in Australian History Series, 21 September 2016

‘We should be committed to tolerance’: race discrimination commissioner, RN Breakfast, 22 September 2016

If you’ve read this far, thank you! I look forward to working with you in 2017. Best wishes for the season.

Until next year,

Tim

December 2016

Hello,

and welcome to my monthly update on my activities.

The Racial Discrimination Act – Parliamentary Joint Committee of Human Rights Inquiry

The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights’ Inquiry into Freedom of Speech in Australia is taking submissions about the Racial Discrimination Act and free speech until 9 December. As the Attorney-General made clear, all those with an interest should consider making a submission.

The Australian Human Rights Commission will be making a submission very shortly. As I said last month, there is no case for amending sections 18C and 18D of the Act. Our society must have strong protections against racial hatred, while guaranteeing freedom of speech.

Submissions to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights Inquiry into Freedom of Speech and the Racial Discrimination Act close on December 9th

You may be interested in this fact sheet about how sections 18C and 18D of the Racial Discrimination Act have operated and been interpreted by the courts. And, in case you missed it, last month I also provided an explanation of the role of the Australian Human Rights Commission (including my role as Race Discrimination Commissioner) in administering the Act.

The state of Australian multiculturalism and social cohesion 

The Scanlon Foundation has released its Mapping Social Cohesion survey findings for 2016. This year 83 per cent of respondents agreed that multiculturalism is good for Australia. However, 20 per cent of respondents experienced discrimination this year, up from 15 per cent in 2015.

As I make clear in my comment for the Sydney Morning Herald, the findings demonstrate that there is no ‘silent majority’ of racists in Australia. Nonetheless, we mustn’t be complacent about prejudice and discrimination.

Racism. It Stops With Me

Congratulations to the five finalists for the Racism. It Stops With Me Award – The National Ethnic and Multicultural Broadcasters’ Council, Beyond Blue, Welcome to Australia, Fadzi Whande and All Together Now.

Racism. It Stops With Me Awards finalists

The Award recognises the contribution of organisations and individuals to reducing and preventing racism in Australia. The winner will be announced at the annual Human Rights Awards event in Sydney on the 9th of December.

A warm welcome to Arab Council Australia, our newest supporter of Racism. It Stops With Me. My colleague, Human Rights Commissioner Edward Santow, represented the Commission at the Arab Council’s excellent launch. We now have 352 active supporters of the campaign. Thank you to all involved for standing up to racism and discrimination.

Arab Council Australia Racism. It Stops with Me campaign launch

You can find out more, via our website, about how your organisation can be involved in the campaign.

Cultural Diversity and Inclusive Leadership

This past month I had the pleasure to join Westpac, the Asia Society, EY, Herbert Smith Freehills, the Department of Human Services (Australia) and Allianz Australia for events on cultural diversity and inclusive leadership.

With Yung Ngo, Simren Flora, Rebecca Lim and Lyn Cobley at the launch of Westpac’s Cultural Diversity Employee Action Group

With Ming Long, Jessica Wirawan and Philipp Ivanov at Asia Society’s Gen A event

With fellow panelists and speakers at Allianz Australia

With EY Oceania’s CEO and Managing Partner Tony Johnson at EY’s leadership forum

Migration and Settlement Awards

Migration Council Australia is currently accepting nominations for the upcoming Australian Migration and Settlement Awards. You can nominate a person, group or organisation if you believe they have made an outstanding contribution to the Australian settlement of migrants and refugees.

Until next month,

Tim

November 2016

Hello,

and welcome to my monthly update on my activities.

The Racial Discrimination Act 

There continues to be much discussion and debate about the Act, particularly in light of a recent Federal Circuit Court ruling and announcement of a parliamentary inquiry.

Parliamentary inquiry

The Attorney-General has announced a parliamentary inquiry into freedom of speech and Part IIA of the Racial Discrimination Act, which will be conducted by the Joint Parliamentary Committee on Human Rights. I will, as a matter of course, make my views known to the inquiry.

It remains my view that there is no case for changing section 18C of the Act. Our society must have strong protections against racial abuse and vilification, while guaranteeing freedom of speech. As the Attorney-General made clear, all those with an interest should consider putting their views to the Joint Committee, which has been asked to report by 28 February 2017.

The role of the Australian Human Rights Commission

As explained in this fact sheet, the Commission’s role is to inquire into and conciliate complaints that are made by members of the public. The Commission does not make legal determinations about whether something has contravened the Act – that can only be done by a federal court. The Commission also has no power to prevent people from taking a matter to court after a complaint has been terminated.

My role as Race Discrimination Commissioner

As Commissioner, I play no role in conciliating complaints. But it is part of my role to promote understanding and acceptance of the Act. This includes informing people about the option they have to lodge a complaint under the Act if they believe they have experienced racial discrimination or hatred.

It is wrong to suggest that it is inappropriate or beyond my remit to provide such information (as I make clear in this letter to the Australian Financial Review).

2nd Annual Kep Enderby Memorial Lecture and inaugural Commissioner’s Student Prize

We were delighted to hold the 2nd Kep Enderby Memorial Lecture on 27 October in Sydney, which honours the memory of Kep Enderby QC (1926-2015), the former federal Attorney-General who oversaw the enactment of the Racial Discrimination Act in 1975.

With David Morrison AO, guest speaker at the Kep Enderby Memorial Lecture

This year’s lecture, ‘Girt by sea or girt by beach?’, was delivered by David Morrison, Australian of the Year 2016. It was a wide-ranging lecture, which dealt with questions of culture, identity and human rights. David’s speech and my own reflections on Kep Enderby and the role of our annual lecture can be read here and here.

We also announced at the lecture the inaugural winner of my Student Prize. The Prize was open to high school students in Year 10 and 11, who submitted an essay or speech about racism. This year’s winner was Mohamed Semra, who is in Year 11 at Maribyrnong College in Melbourne. It was wonderful he was able to join us at the Kep Enderby Memorial Lecture to receive his Prize.

With Mohamed Semra, Student Prize winner

The annual Human Rights Awards – 9 December

As the end of the year draws closer, you are warmly invited to join our annual Human Rights Awards on 9 December. This year, we mark the 30th anniversary of the Australian Human Rights Commission.

Tickets are on sale now for the annual Human Rights Awards

Racism. It Stops with Me

Congratulations to Welcome to Australia, which is our Racism. It Stops with Me Supporter of the Month.

Walking with the other speakers at the Walk Together March

I was delighted last month in Sydney to join one of Welcome to Australia’s Walk Together events. Along with a number of others, I spoke briefly at the walk, which is about calling on us to embrace our cultural diversity and unite in combating prejudice.

Racism. It Stops with Me continues from strength to strength, and we have now had more than 430 organisations join as supporters since 2012. Find out more about how you or your organisation can be involved here.

Harmony, Dignity and Immigration

Thanks to the UNSW Kaldor Centre for inviting me to speak at their Global Day of Dignity celebrations at NSW Parliament House. Here are my remarks to the high school students who attended, reminding them of the importance of dignity in human rights.

I was delighted to participate in Griffith University’s Equity Symposium, where I spoke to university staff, and also the University’s Integrity 20 conference, where I joined a panel to speak about immigration and asylum issues. While in Brisbane, I also joined a meeting of the Queensland Police Service and Muslim communities at the Islamic College of Brisbane to discuss community harmony.

At the QPS-Muslim community engagement meeting, with QLD Anti-Discrimination Commissioner Kevin Cocks and QLD Police Commissioner Ian Stewart

Speaking at Global Day of Dignity event at NSW Parliament House

With Penelope Mathew, Shami Chakrabarti, Robert Manne and Luke Stegemann at the Griffith University Integrity 20 conference

It was wonderful to be part of the Committee of Economic Development of Australia’s launch of their new report on migration – which makes an important contribution to the economic and social debate about immigration. Click on the following links for the full report and a video of my speech.

Speaking at the CEDA Migration report launch

Speaking on the ABC’s The Drum program

In case you missed it…

The Commission has recently released new early childhood education resources to tackle racial prejudice. The Building Belonging resources include an ebook, song with actions, posters and lesson plans. The full toolkit can be downloaded here.

Title page of the Building Belonging ebook

Until next month,

Tim