The Australian Human Rights Council (AHRC) says it will not be deterred by conservative opposition to the term ‘anti-racism’. 

The AHRC was recently forced to pull a $140,000 tender aimed at enhancing an existing anti-racism program known as “Racism. It Stops With Me”.

The decision came after the assistant attorney general, Amanda Stoker, raised concerns about the council’s use of the term “anti-racism”.

Senator Stoker says the term is linked to the broader field of ‘critical race theory’, which she and many other conservatives (all the way to former US President Donald Trump) have criticised for including nations of ‘white privilege’ and systemic racism. 

“Racism is completely unacceptable in modern Australia, but ideas like critical race theory only lead to greater racial division in society,” she said.

Senator Stoker was later asked what part of the AHRC’s tender related to critical race theory, but her spokesperson could only identify one term; “anti-racism”.

AHRC president Professor Rosalind Croucher said it is not normal practice for government MPs to intervene.

“Assistant minister Stoker rang me to express her concerns and I made it clear that while open communication is valuable, and welcome, it is not for an assistant attorney to give direction to an independent agency head,” Prof Croucher said.

The AHRC said the tender was taken down to make “minor revisions”.