Media Release:  Dr Charles Teo is Right to Name and Expose Cases of Racism

Personal racism must be named and exposed says Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria (ECCV) Director Ross Barnett today.

Mr Barnett’s comments respond to respected neurosurgeon Dr Charles Teo’s Australia Day Council celebration remarks that racism is “very much alive in Australia.”

“Mr Teo is describing personal racism which still occurs against Australians as they go about their everyday lives,” Mr Barnett says.

“There’s no point making excuses for racist remarks as ignorance, we should name them for what they are.”

Mr Barnett says Mr Teo’s comments show racism can affect Australians at all levels of society.

“Governments cannot pretend that personal racist attacks don’t occur or down play them,” Mr Barnett says.

“We need to transform this harmful cultural attitude that racist comments are made in a light-hearted way or with no real consequences.”  

Mr Barnett says, however, that institutionalized racism is being tackled well by the Australian Government.

 “The recent launch of the Australian Human Rights Commission Anti-Racism Partnership Strategy is a real sign the Federal Government is serious about institutionalised racism,” Mr Barnett says.

“The People of Australia Ambassadors, launched this week, also show our society has many leaders working to eliminate cases of personal racism.

“We look to the Federal Government to engage the community in a public awareness campaign about the harmful effects of racism.

 “It will take time for all the community to learn that it has no place in multicultural Australia.”

Mr Barnett adds the overwhelming majority of Australians live and work together in harmony.

Mr Barnett is available for comment and interview. Please call Sarah Hunt on 0410 534 457 / (03) 9349 4122.