Chinese Australians in Queensland have reported being assaulted, robbed, spat on, refused service, and verbally abused amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Police have laid 22 charges for racially motivated offences following 16 complaints, with offences including wilful damage, public nuisance, robberies, assaults, and graffiti with abusive language.
Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll confirmed the offences were racially motivated and urged victims to come forward. Police Minister Mark Ryan and Commissioner Carroll have called for an end to the behaviour. Multicultural Affairs Minister Stirling Hinchliffe noted that some attacks have come from far-right political extremists exploiting the situation.
Michael Ma, secretary-general of Queensland Chinese United Council, said incidents of racism had worsened, partly due to how COVID-19 has been presented globally. He criticised naming the virus after a race or nation, saying it encourages stigmatisation and prejudice.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison condemned the behaviour, stating that the Chinese Australian community helped protect Australia early in the outbreak. He acknowledged the virus started in Wuhan but stressed it had no nationalistic characteristics.
In Sydney, a woman was filmed screaming racist abuse at Telstra workers, telling them to 'go back to China' after being asked COVID-19 safety questions. In Marrickville, a teenage girl was charged after allegedly spitting at and racially abusing two sisters, calling them 'Asian dogs' and saying they 'brought corona here'.
