10 October 2016
On 10 October 2016, to commemorate the fifties anniversary of Australia becoming a signatory to one of the world’s most profound declarations on human rights — the United Nations’ International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, the Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull moved a motion in Parliament to reaffirm Australia’s commitment to equality of rights for all and non-discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, creed or origin. The motion was supported by the Leader of the opposition and accepted by acclamation.
Prime Minister
Courtesy of: Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
The motion stated:
- Reaffirms its commitment to the right of all Australians to enjoy equal rights and be treated with equal respect regardless of race, colour, creed or origin;
- Reaffirms its commitment to maintaining an immigration policy wholly non-discriminatory on grounds of race, colour, creed or origin;
- Reaffirms its commitment to the process of reconciliation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, in the context of redressing their profound social and economic disadvantage;
- Reaffirms its commitment to maintaining Australia as a culturally diverse, tolerant and open society, united by an overriding commitment to our nation, and its democratic institutions and values; and
- Denounces racial intolerance in any form as incompatible with the kind of society we are and want to be.
The Prime Minister’s speech could be read on: https://www.pm.gov.au/media/2016-10-10/racial-tolerance-motion-address-parliament