Senator Lidia Thorpe has welcomed the announcement of a new inquiry by the Joint Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs into racism, hate and violence directed at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The inquiry will examine the nature, prevalence and impact of racism, hate and violence towards Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Thorpe, who called for an investigation into the January 26 terrorist attack in Boorloo, said she welcomed the inquiry’s consideration of the threat of ideologically motivated extremism and the role of intelligence and law enforcement agencies in protecting the public.

As a member of the committee, she added that the terms of reference should have more clearly specified that systemic racism will be part of the focus, noting this is often overlooked when it comes to discussions of racism.

Thorpe also reiterates her call for the National Anti-Racism Framework to be fully implemented and emphasises that this racism inquiry needs to be complementary to it.

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

“For a long time now, First Peoples have been calling for serious action to address the escalating violence and hate directed at us.

“After the Boorloo attack, I called for an inquiry, and I have been discussing this with Minister McCarthy. So this move is a step in the right direction.

“Racism against our people is real, rising, and dangerous.

“We’ve seen it in the white supremacist attack on Camp Sovereignty. We’ve seen it in the terrorist attack against First Peoples in Boorloo, in Aboriginal deaths in custody, and in the high incarceration rates of our people. And we see it every day in the systemic racism that runs through our institutions, including the Parliament.

“While I welcome the inquiry, I am also cautious. Too often, processes like this do not lead to real outcomes or action.

“Our people are tired of giving evidence, sharing trauma and telling the same truths over and over again, only to see reports shelved and recommendations ignored.

“From deaths in custody, to child removal, to the destruction of Country, we have stacks of reports gathering dust. Setting up an inquiry is the easy part. Acting on it is what counts.

“I welcome this inquiry looking at the overt racism and abuse that First Peoples are subjected to, but that should not be the limit of its scope.

“This inquiry must also address systemic racism – the structural barriers embedded in systems and institutions across this country that quietly keep us down.

“We know there are major issues in healthcare, social services, justice, education, and it goes on. While we often talk about fixing these through improved service delivery, we rarely have an honest discussion about the role racism plays. This is a fundamental issue for our people, and this inquiry must examine it with open eyes.

“While this inquiry is underway, the government should be working around the clock to tackle racism now, including by implementing the National Anti-Racism Framework and clearing the backlog of committee reports and recommendations it continues to ignore.

“The government must not use this inquiry as an excuse to avoid taking action or answering hard questions in the meantime. Setting up an inquiry doesn’t mean you’re off the hook.

“Urgent action now is still crucial, not just for First Peoples, but for all black and brown people around the country who are seeing rising threats.

“I will approach this inquiry in good faith. But it must not become another tick-a-box exercise or a delay tactic that ends in another long report added to the too-hard basket.

Our people deserve more than words. We deserve action.”