ACOSS strongly condemns the racist and deeply offensive statements by Senator Pauline Hanson during a podcast appearance with a hate-driven, white nationalist in the UK.
"There is no place in public debate for spreading fear, stoking division, and promoting false, racist and divisive stereotypes," said ACOSS CEO Cassandra Goldie.
"ACOSS stands today in solidarity with all people who are being targeted, including people who are Muslim and of all faiths, people who are migrants, refugees and people seeking asylum.
We urge all of civil society to stand up for decency and human rights.
"Our diverse, multicultural and migrant communities are one of our greatest strengths.
"ACOSS proudly celebrates the rich diversity of our community. First Nations peoples, people of all faiths, people who are migrants, refugees or seeking asylum and people of diverse genders and sexualities all contribute enormously to the social, cultural and economic fabric of the country.
"People facing cost-of-living pressures deserve real, compassionate solutions, not hate-fuelled rhetoric designed to invoke fear and fracture our society.
"Political leaders must set a standard of decency and use words that build solidarity, not division.
"Racism won't help build affordable homes, improve services or lift people out of poverty, but it will fuel fear and anger, undermining our work of creating a fairer country for everyone."
