Racism rising in Australia

Community groups and academics say they are concerned about a “rising tide of racism” in Australia, stemming from recent tensions in the Middle East. Sociology professor Andrew Jakubowicz from the University of Technology in Sydney says there has been a noticeable rise in racism in Australia. Professor Jakubowicz says part of the problem has been statements made earlier this year by federal Attorney-General George Brandis, who said people had a right to be bigots in relation to his push to amend section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act.”And the right to be as bigoted and as angry about other people as you want to be, and to say whatever you want, and that’s what has been a sort of what I call a rising tide of acceptable racism,” he said.