Support for response to inquiry into racist violence

Western Australia will join other States in supporting the Federal Government's response to the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission's national inquiry into racist violence.

The inquiry produced almost 70 recommendations concerning Commonwealth responsibilities and issues relating to the States, local government and the private sector.

Speaking from Adelaide at the end of a meeting of Federal and State Ministers for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs, WA's Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs Minister Judyth Watson said racist prejudice, harassment and violence in Australia were causes for continuing concern.

"The report makes important recommendations to address inadequacies and to improve community relations for migrant communities and especially for migrants who have only recently arrived in Australia.  Additionally, it addresses the endemic racism faced by Aboriginal Australians.

"WA has already taken a leading role in the fight against racism with the introduction in 1990 of legislation to prevent incitement to racial hatred, but there is still much to do.

"The State Government is considering ways of supporting the Commonwealth in its response to this report and that of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody to progress the fight against racism even further.

"As well, a number of the recommendations will be addressed in the development of a State community relations strategy which is due to be completed by the end of the year."

Dr Watson said a community relations conference would be held on April 11 at the end of Multicultural Week in WA.

The outcomes of the conference would be used in the development of the community relations strategy which would be prepared by the Office of Multicultural Interests and the Aboriginal Affairs Planning Authority.