Sudanese Community

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS (15:11): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before addressing a question to the Minister Assisting the Premier on the topic of the Sudanese community and federal leadership statements.

Leave granted.

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS: I note that in Victoria the statistics show that a Victorian is 25 times more likely to be seriously assaulted by someone born in Australia or New Zealand than someone who was born in Sudan or Kenya. They are almost five times more likely to be the victim of an aggravated burglary committed by an Australian or New Zealand born offender than one born in Sudan or Kenya.

I also note that the Victorian police and their leadership have stated time and time again that there is not an excessive crime problem with the Sudanese population in Victoria. Yet, we have had several federal LNP ministers and now two federal Liberal Party prime ministers claim that Victorians should be too scared to go to restaurants because of the Sudanese community and that there is a problem in Victoria with the Sudanese community.

My question to the assistant minister is: will the Marshall government distance themselves from these statements by prime ministers Morrison and Turnbull, as well as ministers Dutton and Hunt, and what work is the Marshall government doing here to ensure that the Sudanese community is not scapegoated by the federal Prime Minister?

The Hon. J.S. LEE (15:12): I thank the honourable member for her very important questions. The Marshall Liberal government will not tolerate any discrimination, racism or that level of attack on any community that is so important to building the fabric of multiculturalism in South Australia. I will certainly review a lot of the issues, together with the Premier of South Australia, and bring back a suitable policy statement to the chamber to inform the chamber on the new directions and whatever it takes to ensure that the Sudanese community is not being treated with any form or shape of racism.