When, and how, does hate flourish in a society? How is hate spreading in our society? When do speech acts qualify as acts of hate? Who is encouraging the spread of hate, and what do they have to gain?

In this conversation, we’ll discuss the disturbing rise of nationalist populism in Australia today, expressed through such events as the United Patriots rally at St Kilda beach, the ‘African gang’ scare campaigns and the white supremacist terrorist attack at Christchurch. Tim Soutphommasane is the former race discrimination commissioner at the Australian Human Rights Commission and he is the author of an essay published by Melbourne University Press, ‘On Hate’, which examines the threat that racist extremism poses to Australian democracy. Santilla Chingaipe is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker who has reported extensively on African-Australian communities.

With Sally Warhaft, the pair discuss populism, prejudice and radicalism in the context of recent events and the looming federal election.

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Photo: Jon Tjhia