Gladys Liu (Chisholm, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Last Friday, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of the coronavirus a global health emergency. The Morrison government has responded swiftly and decisively in taking precautionary measures to protect Australians from the spread of the virus. Many Australians who had travelled back to Australia made the decision to self-isolate. These individuals put the community's interest ahead of their own.

Sadly, I have regularly been contacted by members of the community regarding attacks on Australians of Asian descent. Tabloids have openly called coronavirus 'the Chinese virus', and used the taglines such as, 'Panda—monium.' This is not funny. Let's call it what it is—racism. I urge Australians not to overreact and not to use the coronavirus as an excuse to be divisive and racist to others in the community. Once again, I thank the Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Health for the constant updates and assistance.