Albanese Government Adopts 35 Recommendations to Combat Islamophobia

The Anthony Albanese government has committed to 35 of 54 recommendations from a landmark report by Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia Aftab Malik. The response follows a reported 650 percent increase in Islamophobic attacks between October 2023 and June 2026. Key measures include the creation of an Islamophobia Education Taskforce, a national information hub, and $41.9 million for the security of Muslim faith-based sites. The government will also expand Australian Federal Police community liaison teams and implement a framework to ban hate groups.

Despite these commitments, the government rejected several structural and legal reforms. It declined to ban religious discrimination, extend racial discrimination protections to Muslims, or launch a commission of inquiry into Islamophobia. Notably, the government rejected Malik's call to remove religious motivation as a central criterion in terrorism laws, a decision Albanese attributed to advice from security agencies.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke described Islamophobia as debilitating and chronically under-reported, while Minister for Multicultural Affairs Anne Aly called the response a milestone. Aftab Malik welcomed the recognition of the threat but stated that the government's action is only the start of the journey and he will continue to advocate for the remaining legal protections. Separately, Albanese and Malik criticized One Nation leader Pauline Hanson for comments regarding the White Australia policy made during a meeting with Tommy Robinson.