Andrew Giles (Scullin, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Cities and Urban Infrastructure) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to bring to this parliament a statement in support of unity over fear—a petition signed by over 80,000 Australians—and to associate myself with its call to say no to racism against Asian Australians, to say no to racism and to encourage all members and senators to join me. I pay tribute to the organisers: Jason Yat-sen Li, Dr John Yu AC, Benjamin Law, Su-Ming Wong, Tony Ayres, Annette Shun Wah, Albert Tse, Albert Wong AM, Adam Liaw, Benjamin Chow AO, Wesa Chau, William Yang, Brad Chan, Jieh-Yung Lo, Claudia Chan Shaw and Dr Cindy Pan. Thank you. Your leadership matters. It has brought people together, shone a light and delivered a powerful call to action. Tonight, I bring this to Australia's parliament for those of us who have the privilege to represent our fellow Australians to respond to. I also thank everyone who signed the petition and demonstrated their solidarity with this just and pressing cause. I acknowledge, in particular, those who shared their stories, bravely and generously, and made clear what racism is and what it does. Racism hurts people, damages lives and diminishes us all. Its effects are both obvious and insidious. We need to stop the physical and verbal abuse but also recognise that the continued existence of racism shapes how people live their lives, denies opportunities and confines even the places people feel safe in visiting. I seek leave to table a copy of the document containing the petition.

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