The Joint Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs will hold public hearings in Brisbane (Tuesday 28 July), Cairns (Wednesday 29 July and Thursday 30 July) and Thursday Island (Friday 31 July) for its inquiry into racism, hate and violence directed at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Committee Chair, Mutthi Mutthi and Wamba Wamba woman Senator Jana Stewart, said "The upcoming hearings will allow the Committee to hear from a range of key stakeholders for this inquiry, including the Australian Human Rights Commission, Australia's principle human rights organisation. Meta will also be appearing to give evidence, presenting a crucial opportunity for direct accountability given the clear focus on online racism in the submissions, and the harms associated with social media platforms in particular.
The Committee also welcomes the opportunity to hear directly from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people and LGBTQIA+ voices about their particular experiences of racism, and importantly, the kind of changes they want to see.
The final hearing of the week will be on Thursday Island, representing the Committee's commitment to ensuring that the experiences and interests of Torres Strait Islander communities form an integral part of this inquiry."
The inquiry is examining the prevalence, impacts and drivers of racism, hate and violence, with a strong focus on online racism, reporting mechanisms, and how governments and institutions can better respond. Evidence gathered during the hearings will inform the Committee's final report to Parliament.
Witnesses scheduled to appear include the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC), Meta, Carumba Institute, National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO), Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA), local and regional councils, youth and LGBTQIA+ advocacy groups, experts and community organisations from the social services, legal and justice, university, and health sectors, as well as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals with lived experience of racism.
The Committee also invited several Queensland government agencies, including the Queensland Department of Families, Seniors, Disability Services and Child Safety, Queensland Police, Queensland Corrective Services, and State Emergency Services (Far Northern Region), who all declined to appear.
Information on the inquiry, including the terms of reference and the public hearing program, is available on the Committee's website
