Racism storm as Chinese-Australian Labor candidate is bombarded with messages smearing her as connected to nation's Communist government
- Sally Sitou is Labor candidate for Reid in Sydney but has received racist abuse
- Born to Chinese parents, Ms Sitou has received messages telling her not to run
- She said her loyalty was with Australia and feared racism was 'spreading'
Sally Sitou is hoping to reclaim the seat for Reid, which represents areas in Sydney's inner west and west at next year's election
A Labor candidate running for a critical seat at next year's Federal Election has issued an extraordinary statement about the racial abuse she has copped because of her Chinese heritage.
Sally Sitou is hoping to claim the seat of Reid, in Sydney's inner west - but says her campaign been smeared with baseless suggestions she is connected to the Chinese government.
In a lengthy Twitter thread, Ms Sitou - who was born and raised in Australia - said that she has been inundated with messages from people telling her not to run.
'I've received some messages saying I should not be the Labor candidate because of my Chinese heritage,' she wrote.
'The assumptions made about me are wrong. It was assumed that my Chinese heritage means I am connected to the Chinese government, that is demonstrably incorrect.
'It's the equivalent of assuming all Australians do the bidding of the Morrison govt.'
Ms Sitou (pictured with Labor leader Anthony Albanese) said she has received messages from people telling her not to run in the election due to her Chinese heritage
Ms Sitou was born in Australia and is the daughter of Chinese parents who fled Laos after the Vietnam War
She added that she is incredibly proud of her heritage and is standing for Parliament because she loves Australia and 'I want it to be the best it can be'.
The candidate, who is a doctoral researcher at the University of Sydney Business School, said she feared racism was spreading and said Australians should be proud of their multicultural nation.
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'However, (the country has) a history that includes the White Australia policy and the Stolen Generation and so we must all play our part to guard against racism and intolerance,' Ms Sitou said.
'I am just one person running in one election - but I hope it shows the promise and potential of Australia.'
Ms Sitou, who lives in Homebush with her husband and young son Max has been praised by Labor leader Anthony Albanese who described her as an 'exceptional candidate'.
Ms Sitou said she feared racism was spreading and said Australians should be proud of their multicultural nation
Her parents, who are both Chinese, had fled Laos after the Vietnam War and moved to Australia to raise their daughter.
'She joined the Labor Party because she believes that with hard work, a good education, strong community support and secure employment, everyone can build the life they want for themselves and their children – regardless of their background or where they come from,' he said.
Ms Sitou has also spent time working in the international education and development sectors including stints in Samoa with AusAID.
The seat for Reid is currently held by Liberal MP Fiona Martin.
Ms Martin, who was a first-time MP won the seat by 3.2 per cent in 2019.
Labor had held the seat for 50 years before Liberal gained control in 2013.
