On a day that "already represents deep pain, survival and resistance for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples", the bomb attack in Boorloo/Perth on 26 January has "caused deep distress and fear among First Peoples", Social Justice Commissioner Katie Kiss said in the wake of the incident.
"Invasion Day gatherings are spaces for truth‑telling, cultural strength and calls for justice - not fear," said Commissioner Kiss.
"While the motive is yet to be determined, there is no question that the targets of the attack were Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their allies.
"Had the device detonated the results could have been catastrophic, and potentially as deadly as the Bondi terrorist attack. I call on the government and law enforcement agencies to treat this incident with the same urgency and seriousness."
'No one is safe until we are all safe from racial hatred'
Commissioner Kiss said the antisemitism behind the Bondi attack "shows how racial hatred can escalate into horrific violence".
"No one is safe until we are all safe from racial hatred," she said.
"For many in our communities, this moment echoes a long history of threats to our safety and ongoing struggles to have our voices heard without fear of violence.
"This terrifying incident leads First Peoples to be fearful of being targeted for who they are, and fearful that standing up for their democratic right to protest may have deadly consequences."
Race Discrimination Commissioner, Giridharan Sivaraman said "these acts have no place in our society".
"Hate and discrimination must be addressed urgently and comprehensively. The Australian Human Rights Commission's National Anti-Racism Framework, which the Federal government has yet to endorse and implement, provides a blueprint for effective action for tackling racism.
"We cannot afford to wait any longer. Precious lives and freedoms are at imminent risk."
Attack could have caused mass casualties and loss of life
In a statement issued Wednesday, Wungening Aboriginal Corporation noted the bomb thrown "had the potential to cause mass casualties and loss of life".
"We have heard from many members of our community who are traumatised, angry and fearful in the aftermath of this event. This was not simply an act of criminal violence—this was a deliberate attempt to target Aboriginal people and their allies while they were exercising their democratic right to protest and mourn," the organisation said.
Wungening called on Police and law enforcement to formally treat the attack as an act of terrorism and a hate crime under Commonwealth and state laws, reflecting the political and racial motivations that this act appears to demonstrate.
The organisation urged the State and Federal governments to "urgently review the classification of this incident, ensuring responses to violence against Aboriginal people are consistent and robust", and called for "mainstream media to accurately report the nature and seriousness of this attack and to acknowledge the fear and harm it has inflicted on the Aboriginal community and supporters".
'Urgent need for systemic reforms'
Wungening said the attack highlights "a wider issue that our communities have faced for generations—the persistent threat of racially motivated violence and the uneven responses that follow".
"It also underscores the urgent need for systemic reforms to protect the safety, basic rights and dignity of all Aboriginal people," the organisation's statement said.
"We stand in solidarity with those affected. We will continue to advocate for accountability, justice and the proper recognition of this incident for what it was: an attack that merits the full weight of the law, and the correct terminology — including terrorism and hate crime — in its description and prosecution."
