"Racism could be more dreadful than cornonavirus"

Politicians and community leaders have raised their grave conerncern over racism stemming from disutrust and hatred in the wake of new coronavirus 19 outbreak fear, pointing out that it could be more dreadful than the virus itself.

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The coronavirus outbreak has refocused attention on racist attitudes in Australia and the federal opposition and experts are renewing calls for fresh anti-racism measures as a result.

The federal opposition has again called for a new national anti-racism campaign, following the rise in race-based attacks as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.

The Morrison government has been "missing in action" as racism worsens in Australia, says Labor's multicultural affairs spokesman Andrew Giles.

Mr Giles has used a speech in Sydney to warn against the "creeping normalisation of hate and racism in Australia", and call on the government to back a new national campaign to combat growing xenophobia.

"Australia's government has been missing in action," said the federal Labor MP.