ACT Assembly Debate Over Racism Condemnation Descends Into 'Strange' Finger-Pointing
A call to condemn Australia Day rallies has sparked what politicians described as an "absurd" and "strange" debate in the ACT Legislative Assembly, with the Canberra Liberals accusing Labor of divisive "finger-pointing" that erodes social cohesion. The heated exchange occurred just one day before Canberra's annual National Multicultural Festival commenced, highlighting tensions over how to address hate speech while maintaining community unity.
Minister's Motion Targets March for Australia Rallies
ACT Multicultural Affairs Minister Michael Pettersson called on the government to condemn Australia Day March for Australia rallies and strengthen hate and vilification laws. Approximately 150 people attended the Canberra protest on January 26, with similar events occurring nationwide.
Mr Pettersson argued that organisers used immigration as "a thin veneer" to "mask the platforming of extremist ideology." He stated: "They gave space to neo-Nazis, their rhetoric and their behaviour. What was said about members of our community ... was abhorrent, and some of it may well be criminal." This followed NSW police charging a 31-year-old with publicly inciting hatred on racial grounds after an alleged anti-Semitic tirade at the Sydney rally.
Liberals Question Need for Specific Condemnation
The Assembly had passed a similar motion condemning comparable protests in September last year. On Thursday, Canberra Liberals' multicultural affairs spokesperson Chiaka Barry questioned the necessity of another specific condemnation, proposing an alternative statement that removed direct mentions of March for Australia.
"It makes no distinction as to the source of hate speech, vilification or violence," Ms Barry explained. Mr Pettersson responded that he was "mildly mortified" by these changes, arguing they refused to name the actual harm occurring in the community.
Debate Intensifies Over Language and Inclusions
The minister also objected to Liberal attempts to remove references to a failed terrorist attack at a Perth Invasion Day rally and white supremacist material distributed in Canberra letterboxes. "This conduct is not isolated. It is enabled through racist and xenophobic messaging promoted at events like March for Australia," Mr Pettersson asserted.
Greens spokesperson for anti-racism Andrew Braddock sought to balance condemning racism with uniting the community. "Let's be very clear, the Greens condemn March for Australia. Hate speech has never and will never be acceptable in Canberra," he said. "However, what's also dangerous is the increasing sentiment that we must stamp out the right to peaceful protest."
Mr Braddock described rally organisers as "Neo-Nazis weaponising people's frustrations about the cost of living and economic inequalities against migrant communities." He initially requested substituting "Invasion Day" with "Survival Day," but retracted this when independent member Thomas Emerson noted organisers called the event Invasion Day.
'Finger-Pointing' Accusations and Personal Perspectives
Ms Barry, who is of Nigerian descent and emigrated from the United Kingdom, emphasised that while the Liberals would call out hate speech, they opposed "finger-pointing." "There is nobody in this chamber who would have experienced racism like myself or my children," she stated. "I am saying that finger-pointing does not make me or my kids safe. You erode the social fabric, you erode social cohesion that binds us together when you do that."
Canberra Liberals leader Mark Parton, who noted he is the only Assembly member with Aboriginal heritage as a descendant of WA's Noongar people, expressed frustration with the debate's tone. "Can we not do this again? Can we please collaborate earlier on these things and not have such an absurd debate," he pleaded, referencing criticism over attempts to remove mention of the Perth attack.
Complex Amendments and Eventual Resolution
Before concluding, Ms Barry added condemnation of anti-Semitic messaging at anti-immigration rallies, while Mr Braddock included condemnation of Islamophobic messaging. The final motion passed after multiple amendments, described by Speaker Jeremy Hanson as "Mr Braddock's amendment to Ms Barry's amendment to Mr Pettersson's amendment to Ms Barry's amendment to Mr Pettersson's motion."
Mr Pettersson apologised for any offence caused by his remarks, and he and Mr Parton later shook hands outside the chamber. The debate highlighted ongoing challenges in addressing hate speech while fostering collaboration and social unity in Canberra's political landscape.
