Fatima Payman (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Today, 21 March, is the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. It marks the day in 1960 when police in Sharpeville South Africa opened fire on peaceful anti-apartheid demonstrators. Sixty-nine people were killed and 180 were wounded. Nineteen years later the UN coined the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The international community has built a framework for fighting racism. However, in Australia in 1999 this was rebranded to Harmony Day and Harmony Week, changing the meaning to be one of celebration. We do celebrate harmony and recognise our diversity and bringing together of all Australians, which I think everyone can support, but it is important to recognise that many people still face racial discrimination. In light of that, when marking this week we need to be careful that we don't miss the racism experienced by people. We all have a responsibility to call racism out in all its forms and take action against racial discrimination.