20 March 2026: statement of support from SA First Nations Voice to Parliament.
6 March 2026: SBS/NITV on reactions, including from Senator Thorpe on incidence of system racism and doubts whether recommendations will be implemented.
6 March 2026: Minister McCarthy with Patricia Karvelas on ABC:
KARVELAS: Minister, if I can just change the topic. This week an inquiry into racism and hate and violence towards First Nations people was announced. How does this inquiry get real outcomes and avoid just telling us that we have a racism problem that is already really well documented?
MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY: Look, that’s an important question. It’s one that I have thought about as well, Patricia. I have spoken with people wanting to see solutions through this committee inquiry process. I’ve met with different organisations, Aboriginal organisations, who want to be able to put submissions in. I’ve asked people to also look at not just the examples that they might want to put to the committee of what they’ve experienced, either personally or in a work situation, I said we need substantial solutions to this so that we can look at creating better social cohesion in our country. (emphasis added).
6 March 2026: Minister McCarthy talks to John-Paul Janke on NITV:
Attacks on Camp Sovereignty and Invasion Day Rally in Perth were drivers of need for inquiry.
5 March 2026: More in National Indigenous Times, including quote from Social Justice Commissioner, Katie Kiss: Commissioner Kiss stressed this week that the problem of racism is not new. Rather, "it has shaped our lives since colonisation and continues to cause profound harm," she said.
5 March 2026: Canberra Times/AAP report
5 March 2026: Australian Human Rights Commission media release, including remarks from Katie Kiss.
5 March 2026: Media release from Minister McCarthy.
The Australian Parliamentary Joint Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs (JSCATSIA) has launched an inquiry into racism, hate and violence directed at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The inquiry follows a referral from the Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator the Hon Malarndirri McCarthy. Media release.
The committee will look into the nature, prevalence and impact of racism, hate and violence towards Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. This includes examining systemic racism, the influence of online platforms, and initiatives that aim to combat racism.
The committee will also consider the threat posed by ideologically motivated extremism and the role of intelligence and law enforcement agencies in protecting the community from that threat.
Committee Chair, Mutthi Mutthi and Wamba Wamba woman Senator Jana Stewart, said “Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 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.”
Terms of reference for the inquiry.
Submissions are due by 1 May 2026. The Minister has asked the inquiry to report back by 15 September.
National Indigenous Times report. ABC WA report. Saturday Paper report.
Defending Country is considering lodging a submission to the inquiry with particular reference to Term of Reference 3: "Initiatives that are effective in combating racism targeted at First Nations people and reduce individual and collective harm".
The inquiry follows the Invasion Day attack on a First Nations gathering in Boorloo Perth
Picture credit: 'Mounted Police and Blacks', an 1852 lithograph by WL Walton, depicting the killing of Aboriginal warriors at Slaughterhouse Creek in 1838 by colonial police troopers (Australian War Memorial).
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