Radio Brisvaani
Brisbane, August 28 (Australia India News Newsdesk)
Political leaders and community organisations have united in condemning racist pamphlets and online material promoting anti-immigration protests planned for August 31 in Brisbane, Cairns and Townsville. The material, which singled out Queensland’s Indian community, has been branded divisive, un-Australian and harmful to social cohesion.
In the Senate, Shadow Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, Senator Paul Scarr, denounced the pamphlets, saying they caused “great distress to Australians of Indian heritage, including in my home state of Queensland.”
He described the content as “unacceptable” and “outrageous,” warning that it sought “to divide Australians at a time when we need to unite.” Expressing strong support for the Indian diaspora, Senator Scarr said,“Your community is a great blessing for our beautiful country… You belong. You are part of the Australian story… You make a wonderful contribution to our beautiful country, and you are the human bridge between Australia and India, and so important… for the future of this country.”
Invoking the spirit of Diwali, he said, “Light will triumph over darkness, good will triumph over evil, and knowledge will triumph over ignorance.”
Queensland’s Minister for Multiculturalism, Fiona Simpson MP, also condemned the campaign, calling it “vile, racist and un-Australian.”
“These protests do not reflect the values of Australia or Queensland,” she said. “They are completely at odds with Australian values of citizenship and democracy, and the Crisafulli LNP Government’s vision to break down barriers for Queensland multicultural communities.”
Reaffirming her government’s support for migrant communities, Simpson said, “Our Queensland-Indian community represents the best of these values, as do many migrant groups across Queensland. Racism will not be tolerated – not now, not ever. Everyone in our state has a right to be safe and to feel safe.”
The Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) added its voice to the debate, writing to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on August 25 to highlight the positive role of migrants in nation-building.
GOPIO noted that Indian Australians bring vital skills, training and economic capacity, while helping address Australia’s ageing population. “It is critical that this important information is conveyed to those that may have misunderstood the positive aspects of immigration into Australia,” the letter stated.
With both political leaders and diaspora organisations speaking out, the response has been clear: racist campaigns will not be allowed to divide communities, and Australia’s future lies in unity and diversity.
What Senator Paul Scarr said:
“I rise and stand in solidarity with all Australians of Indian heritage…I’m not going to repeat the statement which is contained in the pamphlet that’s been obtaining some press coverage during the course of the day…It is causing great distress to Australians of Indian heritage, including in my home state of Queensland”.
“So, I am compelled to rise in this place at the earliest opportunity to call it out and to condemn it and say that the language and references to Australians of Indian heritage is unacceptable. It is outrageous… it seeks to divide Australians at a time when we need to unite”.
Referring to the contribution made by Australians of Indian heritage, Senator Scarr said:
“I say at this time to Australians of Indian heritage that your community is a great blessing for our beautiful country… a great blessing for Australia… You belong. You are part of the Australian story…I see the work that you all do in the community…at times of flood, at times of bushfire, at [the time] of the Covid pandemic”.
“You belong. You make a wonderful contribution to our beautiful country, and you are the human bridge between Australia and India, and so important… for the future of this country. So, I thank you for every single thing you do”.
In concluding the speech Senator Scarr evoked the message of Diwali, the Festival of Lights: “And I conclude my remarks with this, that light will triumph over darkness, that good will triumph over evil, and knowledge will triumph over ignorance”
What Fiona Simpson MP said:
As the Minister for Multiculturalism, I condemn the vile, racist and un-Australian attacks on Queensland multicultural communities, particularly the Queensland-Indian community who have been singled out and named in material used to promote national anti-immigration protests planned for August 31, 2025- including proposed marches in Brisbane, Cairns and Townsville.
These protests do not reflect the values of Australia or Queensland. I want to be clear, they are completely at odds with Australian values of citizenship and democracy, and the Crisafulli LNP Government’s vision to break down barriers for Queensland multicultural communities and build bridges of understanding for full economic and social participation.
Attempts to intimidate or divide the Queensland community through attacks such as the posters on social media that name specific multicultural groups undermine Australian values of peace and a fair go. Racism will not be tolerated- not now, not ever.
As the Premier has said, all over Queensland, immigrant families have industriously built our state with shared values of family, faith and freedom. Our Queensland-Indian community represents the best of these values, as do many migrant groups across Queensland.
I look forward to working further with our diverse communities right around the state on the issues that matter to Queensland’s future prosperity and social cohesion where everyone can thrive.
We are Australians together. Everyone in our state has a right to be safe and to feel safe.
