ABC journalist Laura Tingle recently commented at the Sydney Writer's Festival stating that Australia is a 'racist country'.

“We are a racist country, let’s face it. We always have been, and it’s very depressing.”

The comments have triggered a fierce backlash from people right across Australia with people calling for the ABC to be defunded and for Laura Tingle to be sacked in her role on the ABC's 7.30 program.

We've seen though in recent times as the Gaza conflict comes to a head vile, antisemitic slogans spray painted on the wall of a Jewish school in Melbourne, alongside anti-Arab and Palestinian racism.

The Voice referendum last year led to a deluge of racism against First Nations people and COVID-19 saw a dramatic rise in anti-Asian racism also.

I would argue though a lot of people in Australia are not racist, very nice caring people. Laura Tingle has also undergone internal counselling at the ABC in terms of her conduct. Has Laura Tingle overstepped the mark here?

http://www.theguardian.com/media/article/2024/may/29/abc-reporter-laura-tingle-racist-country-comments-sydney-writers-festival-ntwnfb

This has been adequately dealt with in the media. It is just another boring and pointless exercise in futility.

The whole thing is futile because successive governments have in the past, and will continue to do so in the future, tolerated the use and abuse by the ABC of taxpayers' money to employ hard-Left activists like Tingle.

We do not need a public broadcaster; most Australians ignore it. But, as per usual in this Mickey Mouse country, what most Australians think is ignored by the political the spineless political class.

Good Morning Nathan,

I like Laura Tingle and have found her to usually be
softly spoken, having quite moderate views. I've not
witnessed her being controversial in the past so I'm
not sure what prompted her to make these comments.

I've watched her on the "Insiders" program many times
and her views have always been balanced.

Is Australia a racist country?

Our country's history clearly shows the patterns we followed.
From the White Australia Policy, to the treatment of our
Indigenous people, and the rise of Pauline Hanson. But then
on the other side of the coin - we have Mabo, Whitlam and
Lingiari, Keating's Redfern Speech, Kevin Rudd's Apology,
and the continued acknowledgements of "Welcome To Country."

Sweeping generalisations are not very productive. We need to
make allowances for individual differences. And we certainly
are a country in transition that's evolving. We used to be
British, only sunburnt. We've certainly come a long way. From
humble beginnings we've become a thriving, wealthy, modern
nation. People want to come here to live.

Whatever happens to Australia, we can be sure of one thing -
our history, rich, and colourful, is also filled with
heroism, as well as drama, and will live on into infinity

her views have always been balanced.
Foxy,
How'd you know ?

Hi Indyvidual,

She's always presented both sides of any issue.

Laura Tingle was absolutely correct. Australia is a racist country. To say other wise is to ignore the history of this country since white settlement - attempted genocide of the indigenous people, the treatment of Afghan camel workers, the treatment of Chinese during the gold rush, the White Australia policy, etc. etc. etc.

Of course she will be jumped on by the braying chorus of RWNJs whose only tactic is to disrupt social cohesion and stir up fear. (Just look at the fear generated during the recent Voice debacle.)

As for the ABC 'counseling' her, I want to know why hasn't David Speers been 'counseled' for his outrageous comments and bias while actually working for, and appearing on television.

It's about time the ABC grew some ballcocks and bit back. Unfortunately, that won't happen while the board is stacked with apologists who still take dictation from the Murdocracy.