Australian Human Rights Commission
Submission to the UN Committee On The Elimination Of Racial Discrimination, 30 October 2017
(b)
of university Vice-Chancellors, 85% had an ‘Anglo-Celtic’ background, 15%
had a ‘European’ background, and none had a ‘non-European’ or
‘Indigenous’ background.68
Media
69.
A Screen Australia study on diversity in Australian TV drama in 2016 found an
underrepresentation of culturally diverse, ‘non-Anglo-Celtic’ groups on
Australian television. The study notes that people of ‘non-European’
backgrounds were particularly underrepresented. 69
70.
The Commission refers to its 2010 review of human rights and social inclusion
issues affecting African Australians (In Our Own Words report),70 and notes
that African Australians expressed concern about the negative coverage of
their communities in the mainstream media, often triggered by comments from
public figures, which influenced overall perceptions of their communities and
undermined their relationships with the broader Australian community. 71
71.
The Select Committee on Strengthening Multiculturalism concluded that the
evidence presented throughout its inquiry into multiculturalism demonstrated a
lack of diversity in on-screen media content, which is in part due to systemic
barriers to participation by, and representation of, culturally and linguistically
diverse communities. The Select Committee recommended that all media
broadcasters seek to improve pathways for culturally and linguistically diverse
individuals and communities to participate in broadcast media. 72
(c)
72.
Law enforcement
The Special Rapporteur on racial discrimination, in the report of his recent
country visit to Australia, has recommended that the Australian Government
ensure that law enforcement agencies, in particular police forces, reflect the
diversity of Australian society and the communities they serve and increase
their intake of recruits from Indigenous and minority communities. 73
Recommendation 17: That the Australian Government consider the
recommendations of the Select Committee on Strengthening
Multiculturalism and investigate pathways to improve cultural diversity
in Australian institutions and organisations.
Data collection (CERD article 2; CO 23)
73.
The Commission refers to its own collection of data relating to complaints of
discrimination, harassment and vilification.74
74.
The Commission is concerned that there is currently no comprehensive
process in Australia for collecting data on crimes motivated by racial hatred or
prejudice.75 The Commission refers to and endorses the recommendation of
the Select Committee on Strengthening Multiculturalism that the Australian
Government consider developing options for collecting more comprehensive
data on issues concerning multiculturalism and racially motivated crimes.76
16