SSI condemns wave of racist attacks in Queensland, calls for implementation of anti-racism framework recommendations

Leading refugee resettlement and multicultural services provider SSI has condemned a wave of racist and Islamophobic incidents across Queensland, which have left the community scared for their safety and feeling unsafe sending their children to school.

A rise in racist attacks has followed two bomb threats on Islamic facilities in the past week, one at an Islamic school in Brisbane and one at a mosque on the Gold Coast. 

SSI CEO Violet Roumeliotis said the two serious incidents were followed by reports of individuals from Queensland’s multicultural communities being followed and abused in the wake of the anti-immigration rallies held around Australia on August 31. 

Ms Roumeliotis said the recent attacks and rallies point to an urgent need for the implementation of all 63 recommendations from the Australian Human Rights Commission’s National Anti-Racism Framework.

“SSI roundly and wholly condemns these attacks, and stands strongly with our multicultural communities, who are highly valued and very much supported by the vast majority of the Australian community,” Ms Roumeliotis said. 

“These types of attacks have a serious impact on our communities, which is very distressing and totally unacceptable. There is absolutely no place for racism or Islamophobia in this country, and SSI is fully committed to helping address the issue not just in Queensland, but right across Australia.

Ms Roumeliotis said it is incumbent on all Australians to nurture a positive climate around cultural diversity and debates around migration must be respectful and free from inflammatory language, scapegoating and stereotypes.

“The Australian Human Rights Commission’s National Anti-Racism Framework recommendations will go a long way to help affect change on this issue and nurturing a climate where cultural diversity, migrants and refugees are wholly welcomed into the broader Australian community.”

The framework seeks to address the interpersonal, institutional, structural and systemic racism that occurs in Australia by providing a roadmap for governments, business and community organisations to address all forms of racism.

The framework, funded by the Australian government and released in November last year, includes 63 recommendations with proposed reforms across the legal, justice, health, education, media and arts sectors.