‘Bile of racism’ and anti-migrant rhetoric spilling into political debate, race discrimination commissioner warns

Giridharan Sivaraman says politicians on all sides must not ‘dehumanise migrants’ in election lead-up

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Australia’s race discrimination commissioner has warned politicians not to “exploit” racist rhetoric against migrants over the cost-of-living and housing crises, and said the country has seen the “bile of racism” spill out during heated political debates.

Giridharan Sivaraman said no politician, regardless of their political stance, should pit communities against one other – against the backdrop of a budget and election campaign where the cost-of living crisis, conflict in the Middle East, and rising antisemitism and Islamophobia have become political battlegrounds.

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