Racism 'alive and it's kicking': Indigenous commissioner challenges new race appointee's stance

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social justice commissioner June Oscar has declared that racism in Australia is "alive and it's kicking" in response to comments by the nation's newly appointed race discrimination commissioner that Australia is not a racist country. Key points: June Oscar travelling across Australia to hear from Aboriginal and Torres Strait women Indigenous people are often "watched and followed" in supermarkets Aboriginal communities are being punished under a "racist" employment scheme "I'm hearing from women and girls across the country … that racism is one of the key emerging issues," she said. But in an interview with the ABC's National Wrap program, Commissioner Oscar said that she will inform the new race discrimination commissioner of "encounters of institutional racism" that confront Indigenous peoples on a "daily basis". "It's critical that he as the new race discrimination commissioner is aware of the prevalence of racism across the country and it's experiences from the everyday lived realities of women and girls and Indigenous peoples … and personal experiences of racism in the schoolyard and in public places," she said.