Commissioner for Equal Opportunities agrees with Pauline Hansson: "There is room for everybody."

Kia Motors Australia has won a Diversity and Tolerance Award from the Commissioner for Equal Opportunities, Linda Mathews, for its advertisement for the new Kia Credos which promotes harmony and tolerance.

Ms Mathews said the Award recognised the importance of organisations taking a public stand on the issue of racial discrimination and tolerance.

The Credos advertisement featured Pauline Hansson, of Bruny Island, Tasmania, seated in a Kia Credos with four Korean gentlemen, saying simply: "There is room for everybody."

"When high profile commercial organisations such as Kia are prepared to spend a great deal of money on a prime time television campaign promoting the virtues of tolerance and diversity in our community, the public takes notice," Ms Mathews said.

"People expect organisations such as the Equal Opportunities Commission, the various ethnic and Aboriginal bodies and the government to say these things. They do not expect it from business. When businesses do speak they have a big impact," she said.

"At the height of the recent public debate about race and other community issues, Kia chose to use this theme to promote its Credos irrespective of possible negative community reaction. The company is to be commended."

The general manager of Kia Motors Australia, David Hughes, said the company had been aware of the possibility of a backlash against the advertisement when it had first been proposed, but decided to go ahead anyway.

"The community reaction to it turned out to be one of overwhelming support," he said.