ANDREW GILES MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR MULTICULTURAL AFFAIRS
SHADOW MINISTER FOR CITIES AND URBAN INFRASTRUCTURE
SHADOW MINISTER ASSISTING FOR IMMIGRATION AND CITIZENSHIP
MEMBER FOR SCULLIN
Major multicultural organisations have described the position of the Assistant Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Jason Wood, as ‘untenable’ following a social media post on the Sunday night.
The Chinese Community Council of Australia, the National Sikh Council of Australia and the Multicultural Communities Council of NSW have joined together to call for Wood to resign or to be removed from his position by Scott Morrison.
“It would not be surprising that Mr Wood’s inflammatory remarks have given credibility to those people raising concerns about the Asian-American medical staff treating their children, at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne last week …
“We believe that Mr Wood’s remarks as an assistant minister for multiculturalism is highly inappropriate... his position in the multiculturalism portfolio is now untenable.”
• Dr Anthony Pun, OAM, National President of the Chinese Community Council of Australia and Mr Ajmer Singh Gill, National President of the National Sikh Council of Australia.
In the context of community concern in relation to Coronavirus, and many reports of racism being directed to Chinese Australians, and Asian Australians more broadly, it is imperative that he delete his Facebook post in which he said “When will they learn?” and apologise.
These remarks are inappropriate, offensive and may undermine public health efforts.
If he can’t stand up for Chinese Australians now, he shouldn’t remain in his position.
Jason Wood has form – Australians remember his divisive and appalling African gang rhetoric.
Now is the time for Australians to pull together, and to reject racism.