The Victorian Multicultural Commission unequivocally condemns racism and commits to taking a leadership role in addressing racism in Victoria. We unequivocally condemn all forms of racism, vilification or discrimination directed at someone because of their colour, ethnicity, faith or national origin.
We unequivocally condemn all forms of racism, vilification or discrimination directed at someone because of their colour, ethnicity, faith or national origin.
We condemn all forms of racism or vilification against First Nations people. We condemn anti-Semitism, Islamophobia or any form of racism or vilification against Asian communities, African communities or people of colour.
Racism hurts our whole society and we must do better in opposing it.
Meaningful change will only happen when people of all backgrounds come together in solidarity and move from being passive or neutral to becoming actively anti-racist. But at this pivotal moment in our history, we believe that change is possible.
We recognise that if we are to tackle racism, we need to start by listening to the truth about our nation’s history and addressing the injustices experienced by First Nations People.
While we recognise the role of legislation in holding perpetrators to account and await the outcomes of the Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into Anti Vilification Protections, we know that legislation alone is not enough to change our society.
Addressing systemic and individual racism will take a collective and sustained effort by all of us.
We commit to developing an anti-racism engagement strategy that is informed by communities and responsive to the dynamic narrative that is changing here in Australia.
We will create safe spaces for honest conversations. We will listen and ensure that diverse voices are heard. We will advocate for equity and mobilise others to join us in taking action. We will also look within our own diverse organisation and hold ourselves accountable to the same standards we expect of others.
In the coming weeks and months, we will continue to engage widely and deeply with Victorians to inform our strategy, including through community conversations and forums.
Our position has been informed by community roundtable discussions, as well as a number of conversations with community leaders.
Read the Commission’s submission to the Inquiry into Anti Vilification Protections.
Read our commitment to fighting racism statement in response to the Black Lives Matter protests.
If you would like to provide feedback, please email contact@vmc.vic.gov.au
