Prominent Muslim groups have welcomed the federal government's response to key recommendations of a report on Islamophobia, 10 months after it was handed down. The government has accepted 35 out of 54 recommendations put forward by Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia, Aftab Malik.
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TRANSCRIPT
The message from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is clear.
"Islamophobia has no place in Australia."
Ten months after the release of the landmark report on Islamophobia in Australia, the federal government has finally delivered its response.
Among 54 key recommendations made by Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia Aftab Malik, the government has accepted 35 of them.
When asked why it's taken so long for the government to deliver the response, Mr Albanese told reporters time for consultation and coordination was needed.
"Some of the recommendations of course are things that we are doing already, and we haven't waited for this comprehensive response to act on a range of other recommendations."
But the government hasn't specified which recommendations it would adopt.
Instead, it has grouped the response under four themes: education and awareness, protection and support, building social cohesion, plus accountability and responsibility.
When asked if he will consider a revision of counter terrorism laws, Mr Albanese had this to say.
"We operate our terror laws on the basis of appropriate advice from national security agencies, we operate that way, people will have different views so we would put forward, and they are entitled to do so, and of course everyone's fear is given consideration, but primarily, we sit in the national security committee of the government, and we take advice from the security agencies."
Mr Malik has welcomed the government's commitment to other measures including in the areas of education and support for Muslim women.
"I welcome these measures that include addressing Islamophobia in schools and universities, the recognition of the March 15 Christchurch attack, increase support for the safety of Muslim institutions and steps to improve the reporting of hate. I also acknowledge the critical support for Muslim women, especially mental health. The establishment of an Australian Muslim affairs institute and grants to improve understanding of Muslim history."
But he says it's just the start of a journey.
"To tackle Islamophobia and its roots, it must address the challenging questions. These include stronger and more consistent legal protections for Muslim Australians, further national examination of Islamophobia, and action that addresses social institutional and structural causes."
That resonates with Bilal Rauf [[ruff]] from the Australian National Imams Council, who also welcomes the government's response.
But he says there's still what he calls a glaring omission about the legal consequences of Islamophobia.
"We know that many people, mostly vulnerable among us, are affected by at a very heightened level, yet the laws are inadequate to deal with it, and equally in terms of enforcement and any accountability."
He also says compared to the government's response to tackle antisemitism, there's a sense of a lesser priority attached to Islamophobia.
"For instance, the antisemitism, we saw that there were changes in law, there were changes in increased policing and security — there was an emphasis on legal enforcement and consequences — and yet, when it comes to the response to Islamophobia, that's the part that really is missing."
The Opposition's home affairs spokesperson Jonno Dunniam says the Coalition will closely scrutinise the government's response to Mr Malik's report, including the consequences for national security and freedom of expression.
Mr Dunniam says every Australian should be free to practice their religion, support their family and live their life without fear of hatred, intimidation or violence.
But he added that public debate and Australia's counter-terrorism framework should not be weakened in the process of addressing prejudice.
