Linda Burney (Barton, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

What I wanted to raise tonight has been raised today in this parliament already, and it is about social cohesion. Probably a better way to say that, in my view, is social harmony. The member for Wentworth's motion earlier today highlighted the corrosive effects of antisemitism on our social fabric. We are seeing that being played out in cities like Sydney and Melbourne and in other places as well. The corrosive effect of all forms of racism and prejudice is before us as a nation once again. These issues seem to come up periodically, be they about people from certain faiths or people who have different cultural beliefs. We as a nation confidently say Australia is a shining example of multiculturalism—and, of course, it is—but it doesn't happen by magic. It happens by hard work.

I have been very privileged to represent two of the most multicultural electorates in Australia: Barton for the past eight years and also the state seat of Canterbury for 13 years before that. I have to say that walking down the streets in Barton and Canterbury makes you feel proud. It makes you feel proud to be living in this country and proud of the generosity, and the embrace of cultures in those electorates is something to behold. Australian multiculturalism has been a success story—that is true. That's not just because of the cultures we bring to each other's lives but because we have so much joy to share.

Hurstville hosts the largest Lunar New Year celebration outside of the Sydney CBD. Last Friday night, I joined the Lunar New Year celebrations with Bayside Council at Wolli Creek on Friday night. It was an absolutely outstanding evening. There were thousands and thousands and thousands of people from all cultures enjoying and celebrating Lunar New Year. Of course, this year is the Year of the Snake. Next month, many of you would have received invitations already, I'm sure. Muslims will begin fasting for the holy month of Ramadan. Orthodox and Western Christians will begin their fast for Lent. Eid and Easter will follow, as will Passover. Tibetan New Year and Holi will also be days for celebration in the coming months. On the National Aboriginal and Islanders Day last year, schools, councils and many other organisations gathered to celebrate the oldest surviving culture on the planet. I want that point that I've just made to be a point of pride for all Australians, not just for some. It is something that we share collectively as a nation.

As I said, we share each other's joy. But we are sometimes forced to share each other's sorrow. As I said, we share each other's joy. But we are sometimes forced to share each other's sorrow. The vandalising of the Southern Sydney Synagogue in Allawah, very close to the electorate of Barton, in January was a cowardly attack. Masked vandals worked in the small hours to instil fear in the congregation, and they made the St George community feel less safe.

Racism and prejudice eat away at the threads of our social cohesion, and that point is something that we all must think very deeply about, and we all must also take responsibility for it—particularly people in this house. As I said earlier today, we need to show national leadership, to show the generosity that we are shown in our electorates.

Acts of violence and terror are the worst manifestations of this, but it manifests itself in other ways: harassment of people for the colour of their skin or the visible demonstration of their faith; Nazi salutes and hate symbols at rallies; misinformation about entire faiths or cultures or painting them with the reprehensible acts of a small minority. My constituents and people from across Australia have spoken to me of these kinds of incidents happening to them, and I have to recall that during last year's referendum debate social media gave a platform to the very worst kinds of vilification of First Nations people. And I have personally experienced that to a very, very, very severe degree.

People who wear hijabs and kippahs have experienced harassment just going about their days. The targets of these incidents are obviously the most impacted by trauma and hurt. Not just trauma and hurt from what they've experienced on that day, but trauma and hurt from the collective history of those people. It leaves a scar, a scar that never heals. On this basis alone, it is unacceptable; but we share a society where we are all hurt by racism. It makes us feel unsafe; it makes us smaller people.

I am pleased to see the second reading of the Criminal Code Amendment (Hate Crimes) Bill today. I commend the work of our ministers, special envoys and people in this parliament working with communities to maintain our social cohesion. I commend the leadership of many organisations on this. I note tomorrow night there is an interfaith gathering here in the parliament, which I intend to be part of. This is the kind of leadership that builds healthier societies. I'm proud to be a member of a government that takes racism and social cohesion seriously.

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