THE HON BILL SHORTEN MP LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION MICHELLE ROWLAND MP SHADOW MINISTER FOR CITIZENSHIP AND MULTICULTURALISM To whom it may concern, We have been very distressed by recent reports about the Australian Islamic community being wrongly blamed for the crimes of ISIL, including assaults and other forms of vilification. Labor stands shoulder to shoulder with Australia’s Islamic community and, now more than ever, we are committed to tolerance, social cohesion, mutual respect and multiculturalism. Labor will continue to work with you to stop misinformation, bigotry and prejudice directed at the Australian Islamic community. Regrettably, some in our community, including a very few elected representatives, have made comments which have the potential to damage community harmony and inflame tensions. Labor strongly opposes these ill-informed and dangerous views and we will continue to speak out against them. We know that the twisted ideology of ISIL bears no relation to a faith of peace, love and tolerance which is followed by millions around the world – and we will continue to make this point. ISIL has no right to use the name of Islam. We will work with you to help stop ISIL spreading division, radicalising disaffected and vulnerable young people. We will not allow them to nurture intolerance and create a world where people fear the unknown and resent differences. The Islamic story in Australia has a rich history and grows stronger each year. Australia’s Muslim community continues to do our nation a great service by fostering enduring cultural and religious harmony, and making a substantial contribution to our national prosperity. This reflects modern Australian multiculturalism: a story of cultural enrichment, social cohesion and economic growth and it is a story that the Labor Party is committed to and will always defend. We are keen to engage with you and your organisation, to listen to you about how we can further these goals together. Please contact Ms Rowland’s office on 02 6277 4833 or [email protected] if you would like to make such arrangements. We look forward to hearing from you. Finally, on the upcoming occasion of Eid Ul Adha, we wish you, your family and your community a heartfelt Eid Mubarak. Yours sincerely, Bill Shorten Leader of the Opposition Michelle Rowland Shadow Minister for Citizenship and Multiculturalism
MICHELLE ROWLAND MP SHADOW MINISTER FOR CITIZENSHIP AND MULTICULTURALISM SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR COMMUNICATIONS MEMBER FOR GREENWAY RACIST HATE SPEECH BACK ON THE TABLE Liberal Senator Cory Bernardi is once again promoting prejudice in the community by introducing a new Bill today to weaken the Racial Discrimination Act. This comes in the very same week the Government is debating important national security legislation. The Prime Minister previously conceded now is not the right time to proceed with changes to the Racial Discrimination Act, but his number one Senator for South Australia has clearly failed to abandon the plan to repeal 18C. It shows that the desire to bring back the right to be a bigot is alive and well within the Liberal Party. Now, more than ever, we need community harmony - every politician has a responsibility to promote harmony, tolerance and respect. We don't defeat intolerance by being intolerant. The backdown on changes to 18C was forced on Tony Abbott. He said these changes had “become a complication we just don’t need”. We remain greatly concerned that the Abbott Government cannot be trusted to tamper with protections against racial discrimination – they’ve tried it once and they’ll try it again. Labor will fight any move to weaken protections against racist hate speech. Tony Abbott should pull Cory Bernardi into line. |
