COVERAGE OF PUBLIC SPEECH

Date of Speech: Thursday 21st of March 3:30pm

Slug: Growth of Facism and Far-Rights

Mainstream politicians are to blame for the ongoing growth of far-right and facist movements in Australia, according to the RMIT Socialist Alternative Club representative yesterday.

Speaking at RMIT University, Natalie Acreman said mainstream politicians “distract and divert attention away from the Government that want to launch neoliberal attacks on the population”.

The speech’s aim was to expose politician’s responses following the Christchurch massacre and Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s announcement to cap immigration numbers.

Ms Acreman said racist behaviours “grew from the seeds that were planted by mainstream politicians”, and continue to remain “unchallenged” for their racist views.

She said announcements like Mr Morrison’s resulted in the recent terrorist attack on the Christchurch mosques by an Australian.

Ms Acreman said “racist politicians loaded the gun”.

Politicians ignore the struggles of the oppressed and focus on a “society run for profit” where human need of both Australian-born and migrants is not prioritised, Ms Acreman said.

Senator the Hon Scott Ryan, President of the Australian Senate, said “Australia is a vibrant democracy that allows differing ideals and values to be freely expressed”.

Australia has been privileged with long-term economic and social success, through this freedom of speech, Senator Ryan said.

In response to the claims Ms Acreman said of Australia being racist, Senator Ryan said “Australians have constantly repudiated the voices of extremes in political debate.”

Whether those voices be in support of totalitarian communism and facism, or “fringe voices” promoting racial and other divisions, he said.

Australia was “a market economy that provides opportunity as well as the means for the provision of a safety net”, he said.

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Marise Payne, declined to comment.

Date of Publication: 22nd of March 2019

Speech: RMIT Socialist Alliance Public Meeting

Speaker: Natalie Acreman

Date: 21st of March 2019

Time: 3:30pm

Location: RMIT University