Greens Deputy Leader and Anti-Racism spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi has called on the Labor Government to restore “Harmony Day”, held annually on March 21, to its original name, the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, with the purpose of acknowledging and eliminating racism.
Senator Faruqi said:
“March 21 is the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. ‘Harmony Day’ is a John Howard invention. It whitewashes historic and ongoing racism in Australia.
“Harmony Day” is a superficial celebration of diversity which ignores the entire point of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination – the urgent need to recognise and eliminate racism.
“We are far from eliminating racism in Australia. Too many people in Australia feel the sear of racism everyday whether it’s in workplaces, schools, sports, media, public places or parliaments.
“Restoring March 21 to its original name and purpose is an important step in moving towards becoming an anti-racist country.”