Released 21/03/2017
Today is Harmony Day. We celebrate Harmony Day on 21 March to coincide with the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
Today the ACT Government is supporting and encouraging all Canberrans to take part in Harmony Day celebrations.
Meanwhile, Malcolm Turnbull and the Federal Liberals chose to announce plans to weaken laws that protect people against racial discrimination.
This is not just an abstract debate for a privileged few. This is about the person on the bus, the student in a tutorial and the worker in the lunchroom being intimidated and insulted because of their race.
Alistair Coe, Elizabeth Kikkert and all Canberra Liberal MLAs must stand up for our proud successful multicultural community and publicly condemn their federal colleagues, or risk being even further out of step with the values of the Canberra community.
The ACT Labor Government is proud of its track record of making Canberra one of Australia’s most inclusive communities regardless of gender, race, faith or sexuality.
We will always stand up for Canberrans of diverse backgrounds, we call on the Canberra Liberals to do the same.
- Statement ends -
Rachel Stephen-Smith, MLA | Media Releases