Senator Lidia Thorpe says Justice Virginia Bell’s opening remarks to the Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion make clear the inquiry will only focus on antisemitism, despite earlier suggestions from the Prime Minister and Minister for Indigenous Australians that broader racism concerns could be addressed under “social cohesion”.

Senator Thorpe says it is irresponsible for Minister McCarthy to encourage First Peoples and already stretched organisations to invest resources into a process that is not designed to examine racism against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

She is calling on the Albanese Government to stop deflecting and urgently implement the National Anti-Racism Framework, and to outline a broader plan to address the growth of white supremacy in this country.

Quotes attributable to Lidia Thorpe, Gunnai, Gunditjmara and Djab Wurrung independent Victorian Senator:

“Minister McCarthy has been encouraging First Peoples to make submissions to the Antisemitism Royal Commission, suggesting it could address racism against our people under the banner of ‘social cohesion’.

But Justice Bell’s opening remarks make it clear this Commission will only focus on antisemitism, and that its scope and tight timeline will not allow for a broader examination of racism in this country.

It is irresponsible to tell our communities, and already stretched Aboriginal organisations, to spend their limited time and resources preparing submissions to a process that is not going to deal with racism against First Peoples.

The terrorist attack in Boorloo on January 26 shows that we need serious, targeted action to address growing racism, hate, and white supremacy against us.

Pointing to this Commission and saying 'see, our government is doing something', in response to our calls for action is disrespectful. It avoids the real work that needs to be done. First Peoples will be a footnote at best in this process.

The Government still has not properly explained why it has failed to begin implementing the National Anti-Racism Framework. At a time of escalating racial hatred, that silence is not good enough. Pointing to the Royal Commission is a cheap attempt to deflect.

If the Albanese Government is serious about tackling racism, it should start by implementing the National Anti-Racism Framework. The roadmap is there. They need to stop deflecting and delaying and just get on and do the work.

No one is safe from racial hatred until we are all safe, but this Royal Commission is not the vehicle to deliver justice and safety for First Peoples.

The Government needs to start acting to protect First Peoples and rid white supremacy from our society."