The first female Indigenous leader of a political party in Australia says racism directed at First Nations people has become increasingly visible in recent years, particularly following the failed Voice referendum, with online hostility increasingly spilling into real-world abuse and violence.
In a submission lodged late last month to the federal inquiry into racism, hate and violence directed at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, Northern Territory Opposition Leader Selena Uibo said she had experienced firsthand how misinformation, racial commentary and online hostility can spread rapidly and become normalised.
"Increasingly, racism directed toward Aboriginal Australians online is also affecting Aboriginal leaders, public representatives and community voices who participate in public debate and public life," Ms Uibo submitted.
"Aboriginal leadership is often subjected to harmful assumptions and commentary suggesting Aboriginal leaders are only advocating for Aboriginal people, rather than the broader community they represent."
The inquiry was established by the federal government to examine the continued racism, hate and violence directed at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and identify practical responses across workplaces, institutions and the broader community.
It comes after a series of high-profile racist incidents, including the alleged terror attack in Boorloo on January 26, the alleged attacks on Camp Sovereignty by neo-Nazis last year, and the booing of Elders delivering a Welcome to Country on Anzac Day.
Chaired by Mutthi Mutthi and Wamba Wamba woman Senator Jana Stewart, the inquiry has received hundreds of submissions from government agencies, academics, legal groups and Indigenous organisations.
Online hostility
In her submission, Ms Uibo criticised social media platforms for failing to moderate racist content adequately and for the "reach and prominence and harms they provide to racism and hatred directed at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples".
She argued online discussions about issues such as Welcome to Country ceremonies, Aboriginal flags and January 26 are increasingly transformed into "outrage-driven" content that encourages division and hateful debate.
"The burden of managing this hostility is also increasingly falling on Aboriginal organisations, community groups and public figures themselves," Ms Uibo said.
"Most recently, a National Sorry Day post on my work Facebook page required intensive moderation after the comment section became increasingly hostile and racially charged. This reaction was undoubtedly the same for other First Nation people and organisations posting about National Sorry Day."
With the Northern Territory home to the highest proportion of Aboriginal people in Australia, she said the impacts of "racism, hostility and social division are therefore not abstract issues affecting distant communities".
"They affect workplaces, schools, sporting clubs, public institutions and everyday community life across the Territory."
In their submission to the inquiry, the First Nations Digital Inclusion Advisory Group argued racism, hate and violence directed at First Nations people is both systemic and deeply embedded in the online world.
Research cited by the group found 68 per cent of First Nations children have experienced hurtful or nasty treatment online, compared with a national average of 45 per cent.
First Nations children are also almost three times more likely to experience online hate speech, while around three in ten have received offensive comments because of their personal characteristics, compared with one in ten children overall.
"Racism toward First Nations people has shifted significantly into online environments, where anonymity, scale and algorithms increase harm," the group submitted.
"Social media platforms accelerate reach, repetition and normalisation, meaning the harm that once may have stayed local can now be scaled nationally in minutes, often with very little editorial control or accountability."
They argued that the distinction between online and offline racism is often blurred, particularly in regional and remote communities, where people targeted online continue to live, work and lead within the same communities.
As a result, online abuse can have cumulative personal, family and community impacts.
Leadership and public debate
Despite the volume of evidence presented to the inquiry, racism remains politically contested, with culture war arguments often dominating public debate.
Some conservative politicians and media commentators have questioned the prevalence of racism experienced by Indigenous Australians, compared it to racism directed at other groups, or argued incidents are isolated rather than systemic.
This is despite everyday racism — including harassment, discriminatory policies, over-policing and public dog whistles — continuing to be documented by community organisations and oversight bodies.
Ms Uibo — whose office this week has also faced allegations of racist bullying — raised concerns about the role of political leaders and the media in shaping public attitudes, arguing some political messaging and public commentary contribute to increasingly hostile environments for First Nations people.
"Leadership should help reduce division and promote respectful public discussion, particularly during periods of heightened hostility and uncertainty," she said.
The Labor leader argued dismissing or minimising racism does nothing to address it. Instead, "it gives it fuel to grow".
"Australia is built on the shoulders of First Nations people and immigrants, yet these are two groups that see and experience some of the most harmful and deliberate racism across the country," Ms Uibo said.
"Australia cannot thrive to its full potential if the seeds of hate are allowed to grow and position our whole community."
