Initiated by the Member for Kingsford Smith, Peter Garrett,
Wave of Respect is a statement in response to events at Cronulla and Maroubra last week and was presented to the media at Dunningham Reserve, North Coogee.
Signatories include prominent Australian actors, local sporting and political identities and others.
'Our society is made up of many cultures, beliefs, religions, priorities and interests. They are diverse, but come together to form our way of life in Australia. There is room for everyone, as long as we are law-abiding, tolerant, respectful and non-violent.
Violence is never to be tolerated; it is never excusable. No matter who does it – your best mate; your neighbour; a relative. It cannot be condoned; it cannot be dismissed as understandable. And to incite it is inexcusable.
All leaders – community, government, religious; all media; those who have influence, should condemn it and condemn without qualification those who perpetrate it. All leaders should actively work to stop violence, to stop their fellow-Australians behaving that way.
We simply say to all those doing it: please stop harassing, bashing, intimidating, hurting, inciting, and abusing each other. You are damaging and hurting this country we love.
Like all countries, Australia has some problems. No country is perfect. But overall, we are a multi-racial, multi-cultural, decent society, with a quality way of life which places high value on human rights and a fair go. We must protect this. Where there are exceptions – where we don’t have this – we must work hard to ensure we get it – and keep it.
In this country, as in all great societies, tolerance and grace must be extended to all citizens regardless of race, religious beliefs or gender.
History teaches us that intolerance, hatred – whatever its basis – and revenge bring endless misery. They are destructive. No-one wins. We all lose.
It’s actually pretty clear and simple: violence and racism are bad. Whenever they occur, they are to be condemned. We should not turn a blind eye to them.
It is about Respect:
- Respect for others
- Respect for the rights of others
- Respect for the rights of everyone to go about their lives in a peaceful way
A wave of respect.'
Peter Garrett with Cate Blanchett, Jimmy Barnes,
Anton Enus and others at North Coogee
Jimmy Barnes, Cate Blanchett, Rev Gordon Boughton, Bryan Brown, Chris Cheung, Michael Daley, Anh Do, Khoa Do, Anton Enus, Mario Fenech, Peter Garrett, Sean Garlick, Peter Holmes a Court, Claudia Karvan, Paul Nakad, Matt Noffs, Paul Pearce, John Sutton, Rowan Woods
Brief biographical details on signatories
www.waveofrespect.com