85 per cent of Aussies want action against racism, says researcher

A researcher says data he has collected shows the vast majority of Australians want something done to confront racism, as debate about the government's planned changes to the Racial Discrimination Act continues.

Professor Kevin Dunn from the University of Western Sydney.

The federal government has released its planned changes for repealing section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act in addition to sections 18B, 18D and 18E.

However, one of Australia's largest studies of racism shows most people believe action should be taken to fight or minimise it.

Members of the public are being urged to have their say on the government's planned changes for the Racial Discrimination Act.

Professor Kevin Dunn from the University of Western Sydney says data collected from his ‘Challenging Racism Project' does not correlate with recent statements made by Attorney-General George Brandis.

“Eighty-five per cent of Australians agree that we need anti-racism, that we need to confront racism. So most people in fact are not comfortable at all with bigotry and they perceive it as uncivil and something that in fact we shouldn’t have,” said Mr Dunn.

Watch: Interview with Professor Kevin Dunn

Mr Dunn plans to submit the evidence collected before draft legislation is released in April.

“We’ll be sharing our data with those who are going to be making these decisions,” said Mr Dunn.

The National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples is also calling on experts and leaders to lodge submissions that will protect our countries most vulnerable citizens.

“I’d like to know that we have a nation that values protection for all of its citizens; the powerful and the vulnerable,” said Co-Chair, Kirstie Parker.

Watch: Indigenous community in Queensland town of Logan react to planned changes to race laws