EXPLAINER: What is the national racism inquiry and how can you contribute?

A federal parliamentary inquiry is seeking to examine recent and historical accounts of racism directed at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The inquiry was called for by the Minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy, in the wake of the alleged attempted bombing at an Invasion Day rally in Perth and the separate, unprovoked, attack on Camp Sovereignty last August.

“We must stand up against racism in all its forms," Minister McCarthy said.

“I know this has been a difficult time for families and communities.

"This inquiry ensures they can have their say and their experiences will be heard by the parliament."

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Parliament to investigate racism and violence against First Nations peoples

While the inquiry is seeking evidence of all acts of racism, hate and violence against First Nations people, there are two key events that sparked the investigation — the attack on Camp Sovereignty and the alleged attempted bombing in Perth on January 26.

Last August, the unprovoked attack on Camp Sovereignty saw around 40 men linked to the neo-Nazi National Socialist Network storm the First Nations protest site following an anti-immigration rally in Naarm Melbourne.

The men, dressed in black, were allegedly seen holding down occupants of the Indigenous camp before kicking and punching them.

The leader of the now disbanded group, Thomas Sewell, is among those charged over the incident.

Sewell has plead not guilty to five charges relating to the incident, including violent disorder, affray and unlawful assault.

Months later, a separate incident in Boorloo Perth sparked fear and outrage across the nation after a homemade "fragment bomb" was thrown into a crowd at an invasion day rally in the city's CBD.

Around 2500 peaceful demonstrators were gathered for the annual January 26 rally when a mass evacuation was ordered after police were alerted to the bomb.

32-year-old Liam Alexander Hall has been charged with engaging in a terrorist act and two other offences.

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The inquiry has six terms of reference and is being led by the Joint Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs.

It will examine the "nature, prevalence and impact" of racism towards Indigenous people, and how they may be changing over time.

The role of online platforms in spreading and amplifying those experiences will also be looked at.

Ideological extremism, and the role of law enforcement agencies in combating the threat it poses, are also part of the agenda.

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What will the inquiry into racism towards Indigenous people look at?

It will also incorporate reporting and responding to racism and, more broadly, "other matters" related to racism and hate directed at Indigenous people.

Mutthi Mutthi and Wamba Wamba woman Senator Jana Stewart is the Committee Chair.

"The types of racism and the intensity of racism have really changed over the last little while," the senator for Victoria told NITV.

"We're really keen to hear what that experience is, but [also] to hear from people what it is the federal government should be doing to respond to it."

The committee will be travelling around the country to hear from people at public hearings.

Tentative dates and locations have been announced in major cities across every state and territory. Hearings have already been held in Sydney and Adelaide.

The committee will be travelling to every major city across the country to hear from people at public hearings. These are the tentative dates and locations that may be subject to change. Source: NITV

People can also make a submission to the inquiry by email, post or uploading to the official Parliament of Australia web page.

The submission deadline for the inquiry was 1 May 2026 but due to significant community interest it has been extended to 1 June 2026.

People can send their submissions in various formats including; writing, video, photos, audio, or artwork.

Senator Jana Stewart said the level of engagement so far reflects the importance of the issue.

“This important inquiry has had significant community interest, and the committee want to make sure all people who want to have their say can do so," she said.

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Evidence gathered by the Joint Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs will be used to form a final report.

The report will include recommendations to the federal parliament on opportunities for reform and response, and is expected to be handed down by 15 September 2026.

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Katie Kiss told NITV she hopes the report will be used to drive real reform in efforts to combat racism.

“First Peoples in this country have been exposed and experiencing racism every day for 237 years,” Commissioner Kiss said.

"We haven't addressed racism against First Peoples in this country.

“It's one of the key proponents under the national agreement on Closing the Gap under priority reform number three - to make sure we transform to eliminate racism - that this is the opportunity we have with this inquiry."