Australia's democracy has become more fragile because of the normalisation of hate speech and extremist views in parliament, senior Labor figure Penny Wong has said.
On Friday, Senator Wong delivered a speech in honour of being named the McKinnon Political Leader of the Year for promoting a more tolerant and inclusive Australia.
The Labor Senate leader heavily rewrote her speech after the Christchurch massacre a fortnight ago, where 50 people died after a lone shooter attacked two mosques.
"There are many lessons from this terrible, violent event ... There is a stark truth to which we must hold - racism is a threat to our democracy," she said.
Penny Wong accepts the award. Source: SBS New
Senator Wong said racism had seeped into federal parliament.
"I believe the normalisation of hate speech, extremist views in our parliament, and a lack of unity in response to these, have rendered the Australian democracy more fragile," she said.
"For when we have political parties in Australia advocating banning migrants based on religion and members of the Senate using Nazi terminology, attending rallies with far-Right extremists and blaming the victims for the Christchurch atrocity, we have to recognise that our fundamental values are under attack."
She warned against the "dehumanising" effects of "singling out people as outsiders, as second-class citizens, not deserving the protections and dignity afforded to full members of the community".
The Labor Senate leader heavily rewrote her speech after the Christchurch massacre a fortnight ago. Source: AAP
"Our weight amongst nations is greatest if we can truly reflect who we are - an inclusive, independent, multicultural nation confident of our identity and of our place in the world."
Senator Wong flagged inequality, disrespect and disengagement as drivers to the public losing confidence in the political system.
Leaders must tackle those issues to make democracy work better, she said.
Additional reporting: AAP
