'A wake-up call': Surge in race discrimination complaints

Race-related complaints are up by 34 per cent in Victoria.

Victorians have reported an increase in discrimination. Source: AAP

A surge in race discrimination complaints in Victoria is being blamed on inflammatory comments by politicians and journalists.

Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission figures released on Monday showed race-related complaints are up by 34 per cent and formally-lodged complaints up 76 per cent year-on-year.

Minister for Home Affairs Peter Dutton was criticised for 'inflammatory' comments he made in January about African gang violence. Source: AAP

Reports alleging discrimination on the basis on race to the commission's public inquiry line rose from 470 in the 2016-17 financial year to 630 in 2017-18.

Formally-lodge complaints jumped from 77 to 136 over the same period.

"This sudden jump in race-related discrimination reports should be a wake-up call for politicians who have made racially divisive statements," Victoria's human rights commissioner Kristen Hilton said in a statement on Monday.

It follows months of political and media controversy over so-called "African gangs" in Melbourne.

Federal Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton was criticised in January for claiming people were afraid to go out for dinner in Melbourne amid concerns about crime gangs involving African youths.

An African community leader Kot Monoah speaks to the media alongside and Victorian Chief Police Commissioner Graham Ashton Source: AAP

Ms Hilton said comments that link skin colour and crime cause more problems than it solves.

“Victoria is one of the most successful multicultural societies in the world, and a great place to live," Ms Hilton said.

"The majority of Victorians who champion multiculturalism should not have to put up with journalists and politicians undermining their communities and workplaces with racially-divisive rhetoric. They deserve better."