Business chief bemoans erosion of multicultural harmony

One of the nation's corporate titans has called out Australians indulging in racism and anti-Semitism in the wake of the Bondi massacre, saying such behaviour must be contained.

Malcolm Broomhead, who's marking his last day in corporate life on Tuesday, offered his thoughts to Orica investors at its annual general meeting in Sydney.

Australia was blessed with abundant natural resources, a highly educated population, a long recent history of internal peace and had the potential to become the "next leading democracy on the world stage".

"Yet, from time to time, it seems as though Australians undermine our own success, and I wonder if we feel undeserving of our achievement," Mr Broomhead said.

"A recent example is the senseless attack in Bondi on the weekend, demonstrating the erosion of our multicultural harmony through outbreaks of racism, anti-Semitism and violence."

Mr Broomhead, who's departing as chair of one of the world's biggest commercial explosives makers, called on the federal government to put an end to the behaviour that led to the murder of 15 people on Sunday by two armed gunmen.

"If this is not contained, we run the risk that this is spread to other communities that make up the fabric of our great nation, if it has not already," he added.

The father and son shooters, aged 50 and 24, opened fire on people who had gathered to celebrate Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights, in what's been branded as an act of terrorism.

Mr Broomhead, who became Orica CEO 24 years ago and chairman in 2016, will be replaced by Vik Bansal.