‘Far right’: PM’s push to stamp out online hate, neo-Nazis

Anthony Albanese has backed a push featuring prominent Australians to fight hate, saying we must “nurture” our multiculturalism in the face of far right neo-Nazi protests.

Anthony Albanese will convene a meeting of media organisations to see how the government can support a new campaign to stamp out online hate, declaring Australia must “nurture” its multiculturalism and not take it for granted.

The Prime Minister said it was “fantastic” so many organisations had come together to back the Stand Up to Hate initiative, spearheaded by 13 high profile Australians including Olympian Nova Peris, actor Rachel Griffiths and radio host Kyle Sandilands.

The Stand Up to Hate initiative is spearheaded by 13 high profile Australians including Olympian Nova Peris. Picture: David Hancock.

He said if re-elected on May 3 he would bring the groups together to see “what way the government can play a role in supporting the campaign”.

Mr Albanese said he had already spoken with former governor-general Peter Cosgrove, who also supports the initiative, about doing more on the issue.

“We live in a multicultural community,” the PM said.

Rachel Griffiths is among those standing up against hate.

“We have a great society, Australia. We need to cherish it, nurture it, not take it for granted.” Mr Albanese reiterated his condemnation of far right agitators who have attempted to disrupt Australian society, including the neo-Nazis’ targeting of the Anzac Day Dawn Service in Melbourne on Friday.

“We’re a tolerant, multicultural nation and I’m still shocked by the figures of the depiction of far-right figures on the steps of the Victorian parliament, the march through gardens in Adelaide,” he said.

“I speak out constantly against the far right. I consistently as well, promote multiculturalism and respect for people, whether it be First Nations people or whether it be any part of our community.”

Originally published as ‘Far right’: PM’s push to stamp out online hate, neo-Nazis