Media Release
CCCAV Statement on Fairness and Equal Belonging
5 September 2026
Recent public discussion arising from media reporting about a prominent and respected Chinese-Australian interpreter who has served Australia, diverse communities and successive Australian governments over many decades has prompted concern and unease within our community. The discussion has also highlighted broader concerns about how Australians of Chinese heritage may be viewed with suspicion because of their cultural background and connections, regardless of their contributions and service to Australia.
While public scrutiny of potential security risks is both legitimate and necessary, many Chinese Australians are concerned when cultural, academic, professional or community connections are portrayed in ways that may imply suspicion or divided loyalty without evidence. Such narratives risk creating fear that ordinary cultural, academic, professional and community engagement may be unfairly interpreted as evidence of divided loyalty, leaving some Chinese Australians feeling that they are viewed with suspicion because of their cultural background rather than their conduct, contributions and long service to Australia.
The Chinese Community Council of Australia, Victoria Chapter (CCCAV) supports Australia’s national security institutions and recognises the importance of protecting our country from foreign interference and other security threats. At the same time, we believe concerns about any individual should be based on evidence and conduct, not assumptions arising from ethnicity, ancestry or lawful associations. Australia’s multicultural success has been built on fairness, mutual respect and the understanding that people from different backgrounds can participate fully in a shared national community while maintaining pride in their cultural heritage.
Australians of Chinese heritage should not be expected to continually demonstrate their loyalty. Any expectation that Australians demonstrate their loyalty because of their ethnicity, ancestry or cultural connections is not only unfair, it undermines the principle of equal belonging and fosters an environment that has no place in a fair and inclusive society. It also risks sending the message that some Australians are afforded a lesser sense of belonging and are held to a different standard of acceptance than others.
Equal belonging means that no Australian should face suspicion because of their background, and that the same presumption of good faith, respect and inclusion should apply to everyone.