In a robust response to a wave of racist abuse directed at Indian music icon Diljit Dosanjh during his Australian tour, Assistant Minister for Multicultural Affairs Julian Hill (MP) has publicly affirmed that Australia has “no place” for racial discrimination against visitors and overseas artists.
Minister Hill told The Australia Today, responding to social-media posts and comments that targeted Dosanjh’s ethnicity and faith, as he toured for his highly anticipated Aura Tour 2025.
“Racial discrimination has no place in Australia, and visitors to our country who abide by our laws should be welcomed,” the minister said.
“It is a sad reality that many people in public life experience vile forms of abuse online – whether it be discrimination on the basis of their race, sex, faith, or identity.”
Hill singled out the abuse directed at Dosanjh as unacceptable:
“Nobody should be discriminated against for who they are and I am sorry that Diljit has copped such rubbish from a tiny minority of idiots.”
Praising Dosanjh’s conduct, Hill added:
“The positive and educative spirit in which Diljit Dosanjh has responded to some of the vile racist comments directed at him online is to be admired and respected,
and it’s very clear who is the bigger person in this. I’m so glad Diljit is in Australia, and we welcome him.”
Highlighting a broader challenge
Hill’s remarks come amid growing concern over the safety and reputational impact of online hate speech, especially in a multicultural society where visiting artists from overseas play a vital role in cultural diplomacy and trade. The minister acknowledged that while the incidents target a “tiny minority,” their impact can be far-reaching.
The minister’s statement also aligns with Australia’s broader anti-discrimination framework. Under federal law, online content that targets an individual on the basis of race, ethnicity, or religion may not only attract social condemnation but also regulatory scrutiny under the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 and relevant state laws.
Diljit Dosanjh’s tour of Australia is part of a deeper inter‐cultural and economic engagement between Australia and India — a key partner in trade, investment and diaspora links. Hill’s comments reinforce Canberra’s commitment to fostering a welcoming environment for Indian visitors, artists and investors alike.
For Dosanjh’s Indian-Australian fanbase, as well as the broader south-Asian community in Australia, the minister’s intervention signals that hate speech encountered online can receive formal attention at the highest levels of government.
Hill said the government will continue to monitor online abuse, work with tech platforms to respond to discriminatory content, and support grassroots programs that build “resilience and respect” in the digital sphere. He urged the public to stand up against racism and for institutions to ensure artists and public figures — domestic or overseas — are afforded respectful engagement.
In the meantime, Dosanjh’s tour continues unabated, with fans across Melbourne, Sydney and beyond welcoming one of Punjabi music’s biggest ambassadors. The minister’s remarks offer a timely reminder that in Australia’s era of multicultural entertainment, respect remains non‐negotiable.
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