Nova Peris has accepted an apology from the NSW man who racially abused her online two months ago.
She says that she considers it to be genuine and remorseful and hopes that he reconciles with his family.
Dr Chris Nelson, 64, a chiropractor working on the Central Coast, was arrested and charged in late May over a comment on the former Northern Territory senator's Facebook page.
(Twitter) Source: Twitter
The post was a racist tirade claiming that Peris was "only endorsed by Juliar [Julia Gillard] because [she was] black" and criticised her for wearing white ochre on her face during her 2014 maiden speech.
Peris was quick to share the post, captioning his aggressive language as, "#Racism - it stops with me".
Peris told NITV she feels the apology was a sign of respect and also an acknowledgement of wrongdoing.
"It has certainly helped me find closure in this unfortunate incident, and even though I can’t speak for Mr Nelson’s thoughts or feelings, I hope in some way it also helps him and his family on their own healing journey.
It has certainly helped me find closure in this unfortunate incident, and even though I can’t speak for Mr Nelson’s thoughts or feelings.
Nelson's apology says that he hopes the wider community have learnt from his misgivings and to "embrace all cultures and treat them equally". Peris also hopes others learn from this event.
"I hope this incident sends a message to the wider community there are consequences for this sort of behaviour, and I hope that we can all come together to help put a stop to it, whether it is online, in public, or in the workplace.
"As I have always said, racism stops with me, and I will continue to call it out when I encounter it, but I am happy with the apology I have received.
Holding onto that hate takes far too much energy, and I would rather believe in the power of love and hope.
"As Martin Luther King once said, 'Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that'. Holding onto that hate takes far too much energy, and I would rather believe in the power of love and hope."
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