Greens Senator Kerry Nettle today wrote to the vice chancellor of
Macquarie University Di Yerbury requesting an urgent review of the teaching and assessment history of Associate Professor Andrew Fraser who has made public his deeply racist views regarding Asians and Africans in Australia.

Mr Fraser’s racist views featured both on national television and in
metropolitan newspapers this week.

“The views of Professor Fraser are as abhorrent as they are ridiculous. The university has an obligation to ensure that these views are not affecting his teaching or assessment of students,” Senator Nettle said.

“Today I have spoken to the Horn or Africa Relief and Development Agency that assists immigrants from the Horn of Africa in Australia and they have expressed concern for the welfare of African and Asian students in Associate Professor Fraser’s classes.

“It’s important that when dangerous racist views are aired publicly the government is quick to repudiate them. To this end I have contacted Immigration Minister Amanda Vanstone’s office this morning and urged her to publicly condemn Mr Fraser’s comments.

“It’s particularly upsetting that refugees who have come to Australia fleeing racial and religious persecution should have to put up with racism in their new home.

“The Greens celebrate the multicultural nature of Australia and welcome the cultural wealth it brings.

“The Greens are confident that the overwhelming majority of Australians support our proud multicultural tradition and join us in condemning racism in all its forms.”