Tasmanian Regional Aboriginal Communities Alliance (TRACA) has thrown its support behind the federal inquiry into racism, hate and violence directed at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Announced earlier this month, the inquiry — requested by Minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy — will be conducted by the Joint Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, and comes just weeks after an alleged terror attack targeting First Peoples at an Invasion Day rally in Perth on January 26.
TRACA, which represents a broad range of Tasmanian Aboriginal voices, perspectives, cultures and regional experiences, welcomed the inquiry.
The peak Alliance represents community-controlled organisations from across Tasmania including the Circular Head Aboriginal Corporation, Flinders Island Aboriginal Association, South East Tasmanian Aboriginal Corporation, Six Rivers Aboriginal Corporation, Weetapoona Aboriginal Corporation, and Melaythenner Teeackana Warrana Aboriginal Corporation.
"We welcome this inquiry as an important step toward understanding and addressing the racism, hatred and violence that First Nations peoples continue to face in their daily lives," TRACA chair Nick Cameron said.
Earlier this month Senator McCarthy said she had written to the committee requesting it begin the inquiry and report back by 15 September.
"First Nations people are feeling scared and angry in the wake of the alleged terrorist attack in Boorloo, Perth and last year's attack on Camp Sovereignty," the minister said.
"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."
The committee will investigate the nature, scale and impact of racism, hate and violence directed at Indigenous people, including systemic racism, the influence of online platforms, and measures designed to prevent and respond to discrimination.
It will also assess the risks posed by ideologically motivated extremism; examine how intelligence and law enforcement agencies work to protect communities from those threats; and review initiatives aimed at reducing the individual and collective harm caused by racism, hatred and violence against First Peoples.
TRACA joins other experts and representative groups in supporting the investigation of anti-Indigenous racism.
Noongar woman and associate professor at Curtin Law School, Dr Hannah McGlade, told the ABC the federal government's response to racism has lacked urgency since the defeat of the Voice referendum.
"The lack of implementation of the inquiry into the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples is concerning," she said.
"We're a country that says we uphold human rights and respect the rights of Indigenous peoples, but we're not taking these steps that we need to, to make sure that those rights are actually being recognised in Australia."
Following the inquiry announcement, Australia's Australia's Social Justice Commissioner, Katie Kiss, was blunt about what is required.
"Government already knows what needs to change; this Inquiry must turn that knowledge into concrete action, with timelines and accountability."
TRACA said the parliamentary inquiry is an opportunity to examine the nature, prevalence and impact of racism experienced by First Nations peoples, and to ensure community voices are heard and understood at the highest levels of government.
"The parliamentary inquiry must ensure that Aboriginal voices are central to identifying solutions that promote safety, respect and genuine equality," Mr Cameron said.
"First Nations peoples' collective experience and perspectives are a powerful foundation for identifying practical actions that can address the systemic racism embedded in institutions and society."
TRACA said it looks forward to engaging constructively with the inquiry while encouraging submissions from Tasmanian Aboriginal organisations and communities.
"This inquiry is long overdue, online racism since the Referendum and the recent politically motivated culture wars has to called out and put a stop to once and for all," Mr Cameron said.
