Mehreen Faruqi (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

The Greens support this motion. What Senator Abetz did was disgraceful. There is no doubt about that. Interrogating a person's loyalty to this country because of their cultural background is unacceptable. It's just as disgraceful that Senator Abetz has dug his heels in and refuses to engage in self-reflection. It's even more disgraceful that not one single minister of this government has condemned Senator Abetz for his racist targeting of Chinese Australians. The government should not be tolerating any insinuation that Chinese Australian communities are suspect or have questionable allegiances. This is horrid, toxic stuff. I was proud to put my name to an Asian Australian Alliance open letter calling on Minister Tudge to make clear that Senator Abetz's behaviour was unacceptable. I reiterate my call today.