Anti-Racism Taskforce

The Anti-Racism Taskforce provides strategic advice to the Victorian Government on effective approaches to preventing and combatting racism and discrimination in Victoria.

The Victorian Government has committed to develop a new state-wide Anti-Racism Strategy, to proactively prevent and address racism in Victoria. Established in June 2021 and convened by the Minister for Multicultural Affairs and the Minister for Treaty and First Peoples, the Anti-Racism Taskforce provides strategic advice and recommendations to ensure the Anti-Racism Strategy sets out a clear and targeted roadmap to reduce racism and discrimination in Victoria.

Watch the video below to hear Anti-Racism Taskforce member Chuol Puot talk about the impacts of racism and why the development of an Anti-Racism Strategy is so important.

Scope of the Taskforce

The Taskforce provides advice on a broad range of topics in the development of the Anti-Racism Strategy. The Taskforce considers evidence and advises on:

  • the different ways in which racism occurs
  • the settings where racism occurs
  • best practice responses to effectively respond to and reduce the prevalence of racism.

Particular areas of inquiry to inform the development of the Strategy may include:

  • research, data and evaluation: how to build the evidence base of racism, discrimination and cultural diversity to identify, monitor and address systemic racism
  • government service delivery and leadership: identifying where change is needed and how to drive change across the Victorian Public Sector and Victorian Government services
  • community cohesion and behaviour change: best practice approaches to build respect, understanding and social cohesion in the Victorian community
  • supports for affected communities and individuals: how to increase accessibility of reporting mechanisms to relevant authorities and how to improve mental health and community supports for those affected by racism
  • change in key settings and industries: identifying opportunities for investment and effort in settings and sectors with scope for clear impact, such as education, workplaces, sports and media.

Anti-Racism Taskforce membership

The Taskforce is led by two co-chairs:

  • Sheena Watt MP, Member for Northern Metropolitan Region and a proud Yorta Yorta woman.
  • Nathan Lambert MP, Member for Preston and Parliamentary Secretary for Children.

The taskforce includes three directly appointed representatives from:

  • the Victorian Multicultural Commission
  • the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission
  • the Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria.

The Taskforce also comprises nine community members selected through an open recruitment process:

  • Susan Carland
  • Wesa Chau
  • Chris Christoforou
  • Farhat Firdous
  • Aisha Hassan
  • Joy Juma
  • Rabbi Gabi Kaltmann
  • Elvis Martin
  • Chuol Puot.

Members bring a range of professional and lived experiences, reflecting the diversity within our communities.

Find out more about the Taskforce members

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