Examining the role of legislation in catalysing and embedding social change, this paper by Race Discrimination Commissioner, Dr Tim Soutphommasane, delivers a succinct history of the Racial Discrimination Act, its passage through Parliament, and its impact on Australia today.

In this speech at the Australian National University, Race Discrimination Commissioner, Tim Soutphommasane, reflects on the state of racism in Australian society – in particular some of the emerging challenges we face in combating prejudice, bigotry and discrimination.

The reforms of the 1980s and 90s have worked their way through our economy and our society. We have enjoyed their benefits, but the jump in living standards they enabled has now faded from memory. This has been replaced by a dangerous complacency which holds that future reform to sustain living standards is no longer...