Unfortunately, the simplistic discussion of the issue does little to progress the ‘how we deal with it’.

There will always be racist elements in Australia, as there are in other nations around the world. There will always be a minority of people who see attacking people on the basis of sex, appearance, religion or race as a way of seeking superiority.

To deny that racism exists would be ignorant and futile. To accept such a proposition without ongoing action would be negligent.

The extent of racist thinking is much more difficult to quantify.

Anecdotally, we know that there have been instances of racial abuse from which the public is shielded. There are cases of gross racism which are not reported and others which are shrugged off. We also know that there are sections of the community which will attempt to indirectly emphasise the ties of race with crime or anti-social behaviour.

Amid it all, incitement to divide seems ever closer.

In Victoria, we have one of the world’s great multicultural cities as our capital. Melbourne, despite occasional lapses, remains a beacon for the values of bringing people from all parts of the world together as Australians, enjoying a way of life which is the envy of almost all others.

If anyone in the community wants a simplistic answer to the extent of racism in our nation, the shining example of Melbourne proves that in the majority, we have an understanding and inclusive society.

Further away from the city, it is harder to distinguish the ways communities have developed.

This remains a major challenge for government and community leaders.

Instead of a debate about if racism exists, these leaders should be focused on explaining and exploring solutions which enhance inclusion in all our cities and towns.

There will always be some people who will continue to hold racist views, and they might well express it from time to time but, if the systems and programs we can develop to improve understanding and inclusion can work, racist views will become so unacceptable that those who espouse them will be so insignificant that it will no longer be worthy of debate.