Racism very much alive in Australia

Racism very much alive in Australia: Ex-Governor General

Melbourne, Fri Jan 27 2012, 15:21 hrs

Branding Australia Day celebrations as an excuse for a booze-up, former governor-general Peter Hollingworth slammed the countrymen as racists deep down.

Dr Hollingworth said that the positives of the day, such as citizenship and a celebration of achievements, were marred. “This is the day when more drunkenness and violence and that sort of stuff is going on. It tells me that somehow we haven’t got our act together. Is this the best day to celebrate? Plainly it’s not, in the heat, during the holiday festivities”, said Dr Hollingworth.

“It’s not a good time for our indigenous people. They are not happy with it. To them it has all sorts of other negative connotations. I wish we could find another day.”

Speaking on MTR’s Steve Vizard program on Thursday, Dr Hollingworth backed comments last week by prominent surgeon Charlie Teo, who said racism was very much alive in Australia. “I think the truth is, we are all racist, really, when it comes down to it. I think all of us have to check ourselves from time to time, and say, look, that sort of attitude isn’t good enough. It takes discipline to keep our prejudices out”, he added.