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Multicultural patriotism

Race Discrimination

Speech at Muslims Love Australia BBQ

It’s a pleasure to be here to represent the Australian Human Rights Commission. May I say that you all have my full support at this challenging time.

It’s important that our community comes together and what we have here today is a display of multicultural patriotism. Everyone here loves Australia. Everyone here is loyal to Australia and has a deep commitment to this country. It’s important that we remind people that we are united in our love of this land because there are some who will use patriotism in ways that can divide us rather than unite us.

Our journey as a multicultural country is something that should give us immense pride. Very few countries in the world can take in a million migrants every decade, as we have for the last seven, but yet achieve peace, social stability and cohesion. But this is an achievement that requires our vigilance and our hard work. We need to work together to make sure that we live up to the very best of our traditions. That’s what patriotism is about. It’s not about excluding people. It’s about being generous and being at our very best.

Let me conclude on the note of moral solidarity. We all need to stick together. If one community is singled out, besmirched or unfairly criticised, other communities need to make sure that they stand alongside them. We know from experience that everyone who comes here to Australia does so because they want to be a part of this country, and to improve it. 

It’s in that spirit that we are all here today and I am delighted to be with you and to show my support for what Australia can be at its very best.

Dr Tim Soutphommasane, Race Discrimination Commissioner