‘Disgusting and sickening’: Virus challenge Australia is failing

As the world prepares for a coronavirus pandemic, Australia has been named as one of the “chief culprits” of a particularly vile act.

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Australians can feel proud of our response to the bushfire crisis. In adversity we saw our true reflection and it showed resilience, camaraderie, support and empathy. Now, coronavirus presents a different kind of challenge, but what we’re seeing reflected in the community is at times less admirable.

Reports of discrimination and abuse towards people of Chinese appearance have been widespread. Businesses turning people away, schools sending students home, hospital patients refusing to be treated by doctors of East-Asian heritage, and jokes that may be funny to some but carry a casual racism that is hurtful to others.

It’s understandable that people are wary of contact with those who have visited affected areas, but neither ignorance nor fear of the virus are excuses for victimising or abusing people simply because they look Chinese.

#CoronaRacism is a global phenomenon, and it’s disappointing that international reports mention Australia as one of the chief culprits. Deservedly so. In the month of February, allegations of discrimination in relation to coronavirus accounted for a third of complaints to the Australian Human Rights Commission under The Racial Discrimination Act.

Coronavirus should not be about anyone’s race or nationality. It is now a crisis for the whole world and the challenge is to address it in a measured way for the common good.

The generosity and concern displayed throughout the bushfire crisis showed Australians are universally capable of civic empathy, which makes it particularly disappointing to see our community fall short at this next challenge.

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Coronavirus isn’t just a Chinese problem – it’s an entire world problem. Picture: Hector Retamal/AFP

By contrast though, our leaders have responded well. The Prime Minister and Opposition leader stood shoulder-to-shoulder in parliament condemning xenophobia and racism, and expressing sympathy and solidarity towards the Chinese community.

They invoked the values of fairness and equality for all, which are cornerstones of Australia’s multicultural society.

For the most part, Australians embrace these values – only a minority are not on board. Of these, some are outright opposed to multiculturalism. Some believe migrant communities must assimilate and integrate in order to be considered “Australian”.

Others have little or no regard for the sensibilities and rights of migrant communities, believing the onus is on them to be thankful, thick-skinned, and not complain.

Nonetheless, our whole society must take ownership of these shortcomings – because they stem from a collective failure to stay, “Stop”. Whenever xenophobia or racism appears it is the responsibility of all those who witness it to say, “No, this is unacceptable and we will not tolerate it.”

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A man wearing a protective mask in Sydney this week. Picture: James Gourley/AAP

The premise of collective responsibility was central to the hugely successful “Racism. It Stops With Me” campaign, which the Human Rights Commission ran from 2011 to 2018 as part of its National Anti-Racism Strategy. The campaign promoted understanding of what racism is and how to recognise it, and provided tools to take practical action against it.

Last week’s speech by ASIO’s Director-General Mike Burgess was a stark reminder of why such programs matter. He warned of a growing threat from violent right-wing extremism. Mr Burgess said, “In suburbs around Australia, small cells regularly meet to salute Nazi flags, inspect weapons, train in combat and share their hateful ideology.”

It was groups like these that daubed streets and banners in Melbourne with swastikas last year in a spate of racism the Prime Minster described as “absolutely sickening and disgraceful”.

Violent racism of the kind Burgess warned against does not appear in isolation. It grows out of a mindset that has no regard for multiculturalism, and it thrives in communities that fail to stand up to xenophobia and racism.

This is why ASIO’s security efforts, at the sharp end of combating racism, require the support of a National Anti-Racism-Strategy that provides education and promotes social cohesion.

Major tourist attractions around the world, including the Louvre, have been closed due to the risk of coronavirus. Picture: Ludovic Marin/AFP

The National Anti-Racism Strategy was only ever funded until 2015. The Commission has nevertheless continued the “Racism. It Stops With Me” campaign on a limited budget, and is currently awaiting a response to our most recent funding application.

The racism displayed at times towards people of Chinese appearance shows there is much work to be done in improving social cohesion if Australia is to live up to its multicultural values. More urgent still, the growth of right-wing extremism and its increasing brazenness shows clearly why we need to revive Australia’s National Anti-Racism Strategy. We cannot allow xenophobia and racism to go unchecked.

Chin Tan is the Race Discrimination Commissioner at the Australian Human Rights Commission.