Adjudication No. 323 (February 1987) [1987] APC 10

ADJUDICATION No. 323 (February 1987)

The Footscray Migrant Resource Centre and certain other persons complain to the Australian Press Council concerning the publication of a "poem" entitled "Bless Australia I Say" in the Western News of 18 November 1986. The "poem" purports to be a satirical look at the benefits to migrants from an unnamed place in taking advantage of Australia's welfare system.

The "poem" was racially offensive and can only serve to incite and inflame intolerance.

The complaint is upheld and the newspaper, which is no longer published, is severely censured.