One of the Albanese government's most outspoken critics on the need to combat racism towards Indigenous Australians has welcomed the launch of a new inquiry into racism, hate and violence directed at First Peoples, but says it must result in tangible change.
On Wednesday evening, Minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy confirmed she had written to the Joint Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs — chaired by Senator Jana Stewart — requesting it commence the inquiry and report back by 15 September.
The Labor-dominated committee will examine the nature, scale and impact of racism, hate and violence against Indigenous people, the government says. This includes systemic racism, the role of online platforms, and measures aimed at preventing and responding to discrimination.
It will also assess threats from ideologically motivated extremism, review how intelligence and law enforcement agencies protect communities, and consider initiatives to reduce the individual and collective harm caused by racism, hatred and violence.
Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe — a member of the committee — welcomed the inquiry, which comes just over a month after the alleged terror attack targeting First Peoples and allies in Boorloo/Perth during an Invasion Day rally, and alongside several other high-profile incidents of racism targeting First Peoples.
"After the Boorloo attack, I called for an inquiry, and I have been discussing this with Minister McCarthy. So this move is a step in the right direction," Senator Thorpe said.
"Racism against our people is real, rising, and dangerous."
Senator McCarthy said she knew First Peoples are "feeling scared and angry in the wake of the alleged terrorist attack in Boorloo, Perth and last year's attack on Camp Sovereignty".
"I know this has been a difficult time for families and communities. This inquiry ensures they can have their say and their experiences will be heard by the Parliament," she added.
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Earlier this week, cross-party frustration intensified after it emerged the Albanese Government had not fully or promptly responded to 169 Senate committee reports tabled since 2022.
Independents carried a basket of outstanding inquiries through Parliament labelled "Albanese's too hard basket", with Independent MP Kate Chaney arguing, "If they're going to ask parliamentarians to do this work, they need to make sure that they actually have the capacity to respond".
Senator Thorpe cautioned that the inquiry must lead to meaningful outcomes, noting Indigenous people have repeatedly participated in inquests and hearings with little change to show for it.
"From deaths in custody, to child removal, to the destruction of Country, we have stacks of reports gathering dust," she said. "Setting up an inquiry is the easy part. Acting on it is what counts."
The Senator also argued the inquiry's scope should extend beyond overt racism and abuse to address systemic discrimination and the "structural barriers embedded in systems and institutions across this country that quietly keep us down".
"We know there are major issues in healthcare, social services, justice, education, and it goes on," she said. "While we often talk about fixing these through improved service delivery, we rarely have an honest discussion about the role racism plays. This is a fundamental issue for our people, and this inquiry must examine it with open eyes."
In a statement on Wednesday, Senator Stewart said First Nations people in Australia "deserve to live free from racism, hate and violence".
"This inquiry is an important opportunity to understand the nature, prevalence and impact of racism in our communities and to identify practical actions for combatting racism and reducing individual and collective harm," the Mutthi Mutthi and Wamba Wamba woman said.
"If we are serious about community safety, we must confront the environment in which hatred grows."
Reiterating her calls for the adoption of the National Anti-Racism Framework, Senator Thorpe also warned the government must not use the inquiry "as an excuse to avoid taking action or answering hard questions in the meantime".
Setting up an inquiry doesn't mean you're off the hook," she said.
"Urgent action now is still crucial, not just for First Peoples, but for all black and brown people around the country who are seeing rising threat."
