Racism Report Released

KASAMA Vol. 21 No. 2 / April-May-June 2007 / Solidarity Philippines Australia Network

The inaugural Racism Report released in April this year by the Confronting Racism in Communities project found that people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds are experiencing various forms of racism including racially and religiously motivated violence, destruction of personal property, threats of physical violence, verbal harassment and other forms of offensive speech and behaviour.

Racism Report Cover

This is the first of four bi‑annual reports on the nature and extent of racism in Queensland. It provides an analysis of 145 racist incidents in Queensland that were reported to the Confronting Racism in Communities project team between 1st January and 30th June 2006. The data collection process is scheduled to continue until 30th June 2008.

The 145 racist incidents reported to the Confronting Racism in Communities project team represent only the tip of the iceberg, with many more racist incidents going unreported. The report also found that people from CALD backgrounds are experiencing racial and religious discrimination in a number of institutional contexts, particularly when seeking employment, looking for rental accommodation, travelling on public transport, and interacting with police. They are also experiencing discrimination while visiting shops and supermarkets and attending schools, colleges and universities.

Furthermore, the report found people from CALD backgrounds are reluctant to report racist incidents to authorities because they often have insufficient evidence to substantiate their claims; do not want to be labelled a troublemaker; do not believe anything useful would result from the complaints process; and do not have the English language skills necessary to undertake such a task.

In addition, the report found people from CALD backgrounds frequently have limited knowledge of Australian anti-discrimination laws and do not know how to access complaints processes. Launched in July 2005, the Confronting Racism in Communities project aims to document the nature and extent of racism in Queensland and provide support, training and resources to the community sector.

The project is funded by the State Government through Multicultural Affairs Queensland and managed by the Centre for Multicultural Pastoral Care, working in partnership with other multicultural, mainstream and government agencies.

For more information, or if you would like to receive a copy of the inaugural Racism Report, please contact Katherine Moriarty by phone on 0437 180 724 or email confrontingracism@yahoo.com.au