OZ minister of Asian origin says racism confined to minority
May 31st, 2009 - 12:03 pm ICT by ANIMelbourne, May 31 (ANI): Amid racial attacks on Indian students in Melbourne and Sydney, Australia’s first Asian-born cabinet minister believes racism in the country is confined to a minority of people with extreme views.
Federal Climate Change Minister Penny Wong has previously recounted her “pretty difficult” childhood experiencing racist abuse while growing up in Adelaide.
“On the whole I think Australians are tolerant,” she told Channel 9 when asked whether recent events and attacks on Indian university students were an indication of racism in Australia.
“It is a minority of people in Australia who hold those sort of extreme and intolerant views,” Senator Wong said.
“By and large our political leaders, our community leaders, church leaders do continue to advocate for inclusion, for respect, for tolerance, for acceptance,” Wong added.
India’s High Commissioner to Australia has said there has been a racist element to recent attacks on Indian students in Melbourne, News.com.au reported. (ANI)
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Tags: adelaide, asian origin, australians, cabinet minister, channel 9, church leaders, community leaders, difficult childhood, extreme views, federal climate change, high commissioner, indian students, intolerant views, news com au, penny wong, political leaders, racism in australia, racist abuse, sydney australia, university students
