It’s the community sector’s time to stand up for what’s right

America is in upheaval.

Between them, Elon Musk and Donald Trump are attempting to roll back 160 years of progress in combating racism, sexism and prejudice. In particular, they’re attempting to defund any part of the government that pays any regard to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).

It doesn’t stop there. They are also savaging – and this is where we come in – any part of the not-for-profit sector that receives government funding, on the same basis.

A large number of Americans, and a large number of their community organisations, are realising that however much they tried to warn people before the election, it wasn’t nearly enough.

Australia’s coming up to an election. Let’s not set ourselves up to have the same regrets that we didn’t do more.

What are the parties’ positions on DEI?

Labor has, among other things, introduced a bill to “block large employers from providing goods or services to the Australian government if they fail to nominate and make progress towards specific gender equality targets”.

The Liberals, conversely, are suggesting that they’ll lay off public servants involved with DEI because “Such positions … do nothing to improve the lives of everyday Australians” and “They’re certainly not frontline service delivery roles that can make a difference to people’s lives.”

That’s not a commitment to full MAGA, not yet.

The Liberals are not yet suggesting they’ll forbid their contractors to use DEI, or bar grant recipients from funding on those grounds. It may sound like hysteria to suggest that anything like that could be in prospect – but that’s what American community groups thought, only a few months ago.

Unless there’s solid, public, noisy pushback against the new press for a return to uncontestable white male supremacy then we can expect rightwingers to keep pushing until they meet resistance.

Company executives will slacken off. Community groups protesting against continuing discrimination will be further marginalised.

We can tell each other that the Australian situation isn’t as dramatic, that it’s not going to be as openly fascist in Australia as it is over there. That may be true, but it’s not saying much. Trump sets a high bar for evil and being better than that isn’t a qualification.

And it may not even be true that we are going to be less extreme. Trump’s excesses do seem to have a mesmerising effect on his imitators around the world. Every attack on marginal groups that he gets away with over there empowers the lunatic fringe everywhere. The avalanche effect can kick in surprisingly easily.

Every Australian community group needs to treat the election as a clarion call to express its ideals and to demand that the parties say exactly where they stand. Write to Albanese and Dutton and press your views (and support those Teals).

Comment instantly, as an organisation, on any on any threats to inclusion. Issue media releases. Demonstrate. Do not go gentle.

The words ‘not yet’ can cover a multitude of sins.

Denis Moriarty is group managing director of OurCommunity.com.au, a social enterprise that helps the country's 600,000 not-for-profits.