As I prepared, I noticed with dismay that in the recent Israeli general election Prime Minister Netanyahu played the race card.   

So as I put the finishing touches to my planning I could not help but reflect sadly on the recent Reclaim Australia rallies and other examples of racist behaviour here at home. 

Slogans denouncing sharia law and the halal tax were chanted.

Many probably don’t know what sharia law is, and neither, I suspect does currently Independent Senator Jackie Lambie.

It has less chance of being introduced in Australia as I have of flying to the moon, but that doesn’t stop unscrupulous politicians engaging in dog-whistle politics by pressing the xenophobia button.

As they do with halal certification, for what the protestors fail to realise that it boosts the local market share of the protestors, but economically more importantly, it massively increases their export potential.    

I was pleased to see ALP leader Bill Shorten condemn the rallies, and noted thankfully that Australian Greens spokesperson on multiculturalism, Dr Richard Di Natale also condemned the Reclaim Australia rallies and at the same time reaffirmed the Greens support for a multicultural Australia.

 “The Australian story is one of many diverse people and backgrounds coming together to enrich our shared experience,” Dr Richard Di Natale said.

“The Reclaim Australia rallies on the weekend are a sad reminder that racism and fear of difference still exist among some members of the community.

“And that suffering racial vilification is still very much part of the migrant experience,” he said.

As I watched coverage of the rallies I couldn’t help but reflect on the leadership shown by the late Malcolm Fraser in this regard.

Unfortunately that kind of leadership and decency has been rarely seen in recent years and if anything the toxic debate around asylum seekers and the way in which the Prime Minister has chosen to talk about terrorism have only served to entrench fear and misunderstanding.

- Ray Goodlass