Why is this important?
The prevalence of racism in the community continues to affect the wellbeing of Aboriginal people and act as a barrier to participation in broader community life, the achievement of improved outcomes and reconciliation.
In recent research undertaken by VicHealth, racism was identified as a significant underlying cause of disadvantage and poor health in Aboriginal communities.
Local government can challenge racism and ignorance and foster pride and harmony within the broader community by building greater community awareness, improving workplace cultural safety and understanding of local Aboriginal history and contemporary culture.
What can your council do?
Councils have adopted a number of strategies to promote cultural diversity and harmony within their communities.
Through these, councils can ensure that it promotes positive images and messages about Aboriginal people, their achievements, aspirations, history and valuable contribution to the social fabric of a local area.
Councils can support and participate in the national anti-racism strategy, Racism: It Stops with Me campaign.
Councils can also address workplace discrimination by learning about workplace cultural safety. Read cultural safety research report From symbols to systems (updated December 2019).
Last Updated: April 9, 2021 at 2:55 pm
