27 May 1997
Vice-Chancellors condemn the politics of divisiveness and racial prejudice
The Australian Vice Chancellors' Committee (AVCC) has roundly condemned what it refers
to as the rise in "the politics of divisiveness" and, in particular, racialist
statements used against Asians and Aborigines.
At its meeting in Brisbane this week, the AVCC agreed on the need to issue a strongly
worded statement expressing the AVCC's concern, on moral grounds, over the expression of
racialist views by politicians.
The statement reads as follows:
"The AVCC strongly condemns the politics of divisiveness, and looks upon with
grave concern and distaste, the rise within the community of racially discriminatory views
directed against Aboriginal and Asian Australians, and other racial and cultural groups
generally.
"The AVCC regards these views as morally repugnant and contrary to Australia's
traditions of equality of opportunity, social inclusiveness and multiculturalism."
President of the AVCC, Professor Fay Gale said that all universities believed it was
important for the sector as a whole to make known its disquiet and displeasure about the
growing trend in racial abuse within our community, and for university Vice-Chancellors to
"stand up and be counted amongst those who believe firmly in fostering fairness and
compassion within our community rather than seeking scapegoats for modern problems."
Professor Gale said that "it was the strong view of the plenary session of the
AVCC, that the issues at stake were far more than just a threat to our economic
well-being" they also represented "a threat to who we are and our ability to
consider ourselves a just and civilised nation."
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