Response to the Inquiry into racism, hate and violence
We’re calling on the Australian Government to listen and act.
Our response to the Inquiry into racism, hate and violence directed at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people shows racism, hate and violence directed at First Nations people in every area of their life.
Australian Governments have consistently failed to listen to recommendations from First Nations people. As several First Nations women have told us throughout our engagement with this inquiry:
“We want accountability. First Nations Peoples’ led solutions already exist. Just do it.”
In our response we implore: Don’t let this inquiry be another talkfest. The stakes are too high and the continuing harmful effects of racism too great.
We call on the Australian and NSW Governments to take urgent action, formally committing to implementing the Australian Human Rights Commission’s 2024 National Anti-Racism Frameworks, including the foundational document for the First Nations National Anti-Racism Framework. As a matter of priority, the Australian Government must action the recommendations by establishing a National Anti-Racism Taskforce and ‘independent review bodies to oversee the implementation and evaluation of antiracism policies, ensuring accountability and transparency’.
The time for action is now.
Take Action
Write to the Prime Minister and your local member calling for the Australian Government to take urgent action to eliminate racism.
To locate your local member’s contact details.
- Search Find my electorate on the Australian Electoral Commission website and scroll down to enter your postcode and press ‘find’.
- Then scroll down to the page and click on your electorate.
- The name of your local member is then displayed.
- Go to ‘Contacting Senators and Members’ on the Parliament of Australia website.
- Enter your local member’s name in ‘keywords’ and press ‘search’
- Click on the mail sign to access the email address or send a message through the contact form
You can use the template below:
Dear Prime Minister,
My name is [insert name] and I’m writing to you because I’m deeply concerned about racism in Australia.
[Write a paragraph about yourself and why eliminating racism is important to you]Being subjected to racism is a daily occurrence for many people living in Australia. First Nations people have been subjected to racism since colonisation.
Racism towards First Nations people is highly visible and increasingly normalised and there is very little accountability. Multiple sources have identified significant increases in racism against First Nations people following the Voice referendum, with ‘a shocking level of racism for the duration of the campaign’[1] itself, and the ultimate failure of the referendum serving to normalise racism. Racism online is also prolific and dangerous.
This year alone there have been many examples of racism perpetrated against First Nations people. A recent example was the booing by hecklers during Welcome to Country on ANZAC commemorations in several places across Australia. In response to the booing, Uncle Ray Minnecon commented:
“We have experienced this type of racism now for over 230 years … what crime did we commit to attract this kind of racism and this kind of hate?”
Racism has a damaging impact.
Racism treats people as lesser and diminishes us all.
Many people are blind to and dismissive of racism. This compounds the harm caused by racism.
By not taking strong action to stop and eliminate racism this allows racism to worsen.
I’m calling on the Australian Government to take urgent action to eliminate racism.
In 2024, the Australian Human Rights Commission published The National Anti-Racism Framework: A Roadmap to Eliminating Racism in Australia and the foundational document for a First Nations National Anti-Racism Framework: An Anti-Racism Framework: Voices of First Nations Peoples – First Nations Consultations for the Australian Human Rights Commission. These frameworks include recommendations made from previous inquiries.
You have the solutions – what is needed is leadership and political will.
We urge you to immediately commit to and properly resource these Frameworks.
The time for action is now.
Yours faithfully,
[Insert name][1] Australian Human Rights Commission, The National Anti-Racism Framework: A Roadmap to Eliminating Racism in Australia (November 2024) 8.
For media inquiries call (02) 8745 6900 or email media@wlsnsw.org.au
