MEDIA RELEASE

28 July 2026

The Australian Muslim Advocacy Network congratulates Senator Mehreen Faruqi.

Yesterday, the Full Federal Court threw out Pauline Hanson’s appeal. All three judges agreed. She lost on every single ground.

The Court backed what Justice Angus Stewart found back in November 2024. Senator Hanson broke the law when she told Senator Faruqi to pack her bags and go back to Pakistan.

That post breached section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act. That is the law that makes it unlawful to publicly abuse someone because of their race or where they come from.

The Court said Hanson’s post was anti-Muslim and Islamophobic. It said the post was just another version of an old line thrown at people of colour for generations: go back to where you came from.

The Court said the post was likely to be deeply offensive, insulting, humiliating and frightening. Not just to Senator Faruqi. To migrants. To Australians whose families came here recently. And to Muslims of colour right across this country.

Senator Hanson argued that being a politician gave her a constitutional right to say it. The Court said no. Section 18C is good law. Her “fair comment” defence failed as well.

“This is a win for every Muslim calling this country home,” said a spokesperson for AMAN.

“Senator Faruqi fought for four years so a court would say out loud what our community already knew. This is racism. And it is against the law.”

“Australian Muslims have watched this language become normal inside our own parliament. The Court has now made it plain. A seat in parliament is not a free pass. Free speech has never meant the freedom to tear people down for who they are or where their family came from.”

Four years in court is a heavy load. It costs money, time and peace of mind. Senator Faruqi and her family carried that load in public, and they deserve credit for it.

We also thank Race Discrimination Commissioner Giridharan Sivaraman. His help to the Court on ‘intersectionality’ of racism made a difference.

This case also exposes a hole in our law. AMAN has been pointing at that hole for years. So did the Envoy to Combat Islamophobia in his report. He recommended that Muslims get the same protection from hate that other communities already have, like Jewish and Sikh Australians. The Albanese Government ignored him. That is shameful.

Government would not lead. So Senator Faruqi led instead.

Now it is reported that Pauline Hanson may take this to the High Court.

Australians deserve to know who pays for that. Senator Hanson has raised money from the public to fight the Albanese Government. Will she spend it on this instead? She should say so plainly.

So far, every round of this case has only made the law stronger for Australian Muslims.

ENDS.

The post Court Win Against Hanson is a Win for Every Australian Muslim appeared first on Australian Muslim Advocacy Network.

We share your grief and we will always stand by you.

Antisemitism (anti-Jewish racism) should have no place in Australia. We should all feel and be safe in our identities – free to practice our faiths, live our cultures, celebrate with family, and be in community with one another. Everyone has a right to live in peace and safety, no matter their belief or background.

In the aftermath of this shocking violence, we remember our shared humanity. We honour the memories of those killed. We celebrate the unity, courage, and care being shown by millions of people across Australia as we mourn together.

We have seen what happens when a community is singled out and scapegoated based on their identity, ethnicity, race or religion; and we reject efforts to create further division through fear, polarisation, and disinformation.

We come together and echo the words of the NSW Faith Affairs Council that “We will not let hatred and violence divide us. Across all our cultures and faiths, we will stand united in sympathy, compassion and solidarity.“

We are resolute in our collective commitment to defend everyone’s rights to safety, culture and faith, and to build a peaceful society.

We commit to deepening our understanding of how anti-Jewish racism arises, in order to better identify and prevent it from being committed against the Australian Jewish community ever again.

We stand with the Australian Jewish community, in love and solidarity.

List of signatories

• 350 Australia
• 5point Foundation
• ABC Friends
• ActionAid Australia
• Advocacy for Oromia
• Alannah & Madeline Foundation
• Amnesty International Australia
• Animal Liberation
• ANTAR
• Anti-Poverty Network SA
• ARRCC (Australian Religious Response to Climate Change)
• Art + Environment
• Astha Nepali Hindu Society Victoria- PashupatiNath Temple
• Asylum Seekers Centre
• Atkinhead Centre for Medical Discovery
• Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility (ACCR)
• Australia Multicultural Organisation Network
• Australia Palestine Advocacy Network
• Australia Strongim Bisnis
• Australian Arab Institute for Culture and Ideas
• Australian Childhood Foundation
• Australian Communities Foundation
• Australian Conservation Foundation
• Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS)
• Australian Democracy Network
• Australian Environmental Grantmakers Network (AEGN)
• Australian Muslim Advocacy Network (AMAN)
• Australian Progress
• Australian Youth Climate Coalition
• Baby Give Back
• Basic Rights Queensland
• Beyond Zero Emissions
• Biomimicry institute
• Bob Brown Foundation
• Boronia Multicultural Services
• Boys to the Bush
• Browns For Better
• Bushfire Survivors for Climate Action
• Bushwalking Victoria
• C Milliner consulting
• Caladenia Dementia Care
• CASPA
• Cherished Pets
• Children and Young People with Disability Australia
• Cini Australia
• Circus Oz
• Citizens Climate Lobby
• CLIMARTE
• Climate Action Network Australia
• Climate and Health Alliance
• Climate Council
• Climate Integrity
• Climate Resource
• Common Ground First Nations
• Communify Qld
• Community Directors
• Complementary Medicine Association Limited
• Conservation Council ACT Region
• Country Hope
• Country Needs People
• Cowra Early Childhood Services
• Darlinghurst Theatre Company
• Darts Australia Ltd
• Democracy in Colour
• Denmark Baroque
• Digital Rights Watch
• Doctors for the Environment Australia
• Dying with Dignity NSW
• Edith Cowan University Student Guild
• Effective Philanthropy
• Environment Centre NT
• Environment Victoria
• Equality Australia
• Eritrean-Australian Community & Settlement Support Network Inc.
• Every Home for Christ Australia
• Fair Agenda
• Financial Counselling Victoria
• FoodCare Orange
• For Purpose Alliance (FPA)
• Foundation for Young Australians
• Friends of the Earth Australia
• Future Earth Australia
• Gaye Mason Advisory
• Gender and Disaster Australia
• GetUp
• Gippsland Disability Advocacy Inc
• GoodWolf
• Graham F Smith Peace Foundation
• Grassroots Action Network Tasmania
• Greater Melbourne Foundation
• Greenpeace Australia Pacific
• Groundswell Giving
• Haemophilia Foundation Victoria
• Homelessness NSW
• Human Rights Law Centre
• Impact Recovery Ltd.
• Infoxchange
• Inner City Legal Centre
• Innov8 HQ
• Institute of Community Directors Australia
• International Women’s Development Agency (IWDA)
• IWD Meanjin Brisbane
• Justice Connect
• Justice Reform Initiative
• K Farmer Dutjahn Foundation
• Kiwanis Brighton Bayside
• Koala Action Inc.
• KU Children’s Services
• Kyabram Community and Learning Centre Inc.
• Leading Progress
• Let’s talk peace – Ballarat
• Liberty Victoria
• Light of Hope Foundation
• Lighter Footprints
• Lorne Sculpture Exhibition Inc
• Macarthur Community College
• Macdoch Foundation
• Mackay Regional Community Legal Centre
• Mannifera
• Mary MacKillop Today
• Maurice Blackburn Lawyers
• Medical Association for Prevention of War
• MHA Care Limited
• Morrow Studio
• Multicultural Community Services Of Central Australia (MCSCA)
• Multicultural Leadership Initiative
• Nature Conservation Council NSW
• New England Family Support Service
• New Israel Fund Australia
• Ngala
• Noisy Boy Media
• North & West Melbourne Neighbourhood Centre
• North East Community Assistance Project Inc
• NSW Council for Civil Liberties
• NTCOSs
• NYID
• Older Women’s Network NSW
• Oromia Peace Institute
• Oromo community in Melbourne
• Our Community
• Oxfam Australia
• Palm oil detectives
• Parents For Climate
• Peacifica
• Peoples Climate Assembly
• Per Capita
• Perinatal Wellbeing Centre
• Permaculture for Refugees
• Permanent Care and Adoptive Families Inc.
• Plan International Australia
• Play Australia
• Polonia Polish Association of Qld Inc
• PRISM
• Pro Bono Australia
• Project Planet
• Prosper Australia
• Psychology for a Safe Climate
• Queensland Council of Social Service (QCOSS)
• Rainbow Giving Australia
• Rainbow Hollow
• Redfern Legal Centre
• Reichstein Foundation
• Resilient Lismore
• Rights Resource Network SA
• Sapna South Asian Climate Solidarity
• SarasCare
• Save the Children Australia
• Scarlet Alliance, Australian Sex Workers Association
• SEARCH FOUNDATION
• Sexual and Reproductive Health Australia
• Sexual Health Victoria
• Social Good Summit Australia
• Social Responsibilities Committee, Anglican Church Southern Queensland
• Social Ventures Australia
• South Australian Council of Social Service
• South Australian Rainbow Advocacy Alliance Inc.
• South East Arts
• South East Volunteers
• St Andrew’s Meals on Wheels
• St Andrews Uniting Church, Mildura
• Strength Potential
• Tackling Leukaemia Inc
• Teach Learn Grow
• The All One Foundation
• The Benevolent Society
• The Fred Hollows Foundation
• The Funding Network Australia
• The Learning Future
• The Menora Foundation
• The NFP backroom
• The Revillaging project
• The Sunrise Project
• The Unquiet Collective
• The WeirAnderson Foundation
• The Wyatt Trust
• Tipping Point
• Unharm
• Vets for Climate Action
• Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community Agency (VACCA)
• Vietnamese Women’s Association SA
• Voices of the Top End (VoTE)
• Volunteering Australia
• Wagga Women’s Health Centre
• Welcoming Australia
• West Australian Council of Social Service
• Western Australian Innovation, Technology & Talent Alliance
• White Eagle Lodge of Australia Pty Ltd
• Wildlife Rescue South Coast Inc
• Women’s Legal Centre ACT
• Worker Assist Tasmania
• Working Women’s Centre Australia
• Working Women’s Centre SA
• World Animal Protection
• YLab

The post Civil society statement of solidarity with the Australian Jewish community appeared first on Australian Muslim Advocacy Network.

The call comes amid growing concern over Ms Machado’s public support for far-right movements, anti-Muslim extremism, and military intervention in Venezuela.

A Call for Moral Integrity

In a joint letter sent to the Nobel Committee in Oslo, the signatories expressed deep concern over the decision. They stated that the Nobel Peace Prize should honour individuals who defend justice and peace for all, not those who promote war, racism, or fascism.

Reasons for Concern

The letter outlined several issues that contradict the Nobel Committee’s values.
Ms Machado reportedly:

• Spoke at the Patriots of Europe conference alongside far-right figures including Geert Wilders, Marie Le Pen, and Viktor Orbán.
• Formed a political alliance between her party, Vente Venezuela, and Israel’s Likud Party — whose leaders face war-crime allegations at the International Criminal Court.
• Declared that “the struggle of Venezuela is the struggle of Israel,” and supported moving Venezuela’s embassy to Jerusalem.

According to Reuters, participants at the conference called for a “new Reconquista,” invoking medieval wars against Muslims in Spain.

These public stances, the organisations said, undermine the credibility of the Nobel Committee and the moral authority of the Peace Prize itself.

What the Letter Calls For

The signatories urged the Nobel Committee to ask Ms Machado to:

1. Renounce her alliance with Israel’s Likud Party.
2. Apologise for joining a conference promoting fascism and anti-Muslim hate.
3. Retract her calls for war as a means to achieve democracy in Venezuela.

If she refuses, they say the Committee should rescind the award and instead recognise someone who truly upholds peace — such as activists, journalists, and medical professionals who risk their lives defending human rights worldwide.

United Global Voices

The letter was co-signed by major Muslim and human rights organisations from across the Western world, including:

• Australian Muslim Advocacy Network (AMAN)
• Canadians United Against Hate
• Collective Against Islamophobia in Europe (CCIE)
• Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)
• Forum of European Muslim Youth and Student Organisations (FEMYSO)
• Islamophobia Studies Center
• Muslim Council of Britain (MCB)
• The March 15th Forum – Combating Islamophobia
• US Council of Muslim Organizations (USCMO)

Together, they represent millions of people who believe that peace prizes should celebrate courage, not hypocrisy.

Plea for Accountability

AMAN stands with its international partners in urging the Nobel Committee to uphold the integrity of one of the world’s most respected awards.

By ensuring that the Nobel Peace Prize reflects the true meaning of peace, justice, and equality, the Committee can restore faith in its mission.

Read the full joint letter here (PDF)

The post AMAN Joins Global Civil Rights Groups Call on Nobel Committee to Withdraw Award appeared first on Australian Muslim Advocacy Network.

The post Australian Muslim Community calls for transparency and accountability of Law Enforcement Action appeared first on Australian Muslim Advocacy Network.

The Australian Muslim Advocacy Network (AMAN) has recently issued a comprehensive briefing note addressing serious concerns regarding the counterterrorism policing events in Sydney. This note underscores inconsistencies in policing standards and highlights the urgent need for fair and humane treatment of individuals, particularly those with mental illness or disabilities.

Inconsistent Policing Standards

One of the core issues raised by AMAN is the stark difference in how the New South Wales (NSW) police handle cases involving mental illness. For example, in the Botany petrol bomb incident, the police did not involve the counterterrorism unit despite clear indications of a politically motivated attack. Contrarily, in the Wakely stabbing incident, police quickly designated the event as terrorism without a comprehensive mental health assessment of the attacker​​.

This inconsistent approach is particularly troubling when considering the severe penalties associated with terrorism charges, which can include life imprisonment. AMAN’s briefing note points out that the terrorist act charges have only been used once in Australian history in relation to a non-Muslim person and never for a non-Muslim minor​​.

The Impact of Mental Illness on Policing Decisions

The briefing note also delves into how mental illness is treated differently depending on the individual’s background. In several cases involving non-Muslim individuals with mental health issues, the charges were often less severe and included considerations for their mental health. Conversely, Muslim individuals with similar or even more severe mental health issues faced harsh terrorism charges​​.

For instance, the Bondi incident involving a white adult male with schizophrenia was quickly ruled out as terrorism, whereas the Wakely incident involving a 16-year-old Arab Muslim boy with a history of mental health concerns was promptly classified as terrorism​​.

The Call for Fair Treatment and Accountability

AMAN calls for a principled and consistent approach to counterterrorism policing, emphasizing the need for fairness in the investigation process, labelling, and charges laid. The organisation argues that mental health and young age should be significant factors in determining the appropriate legal response and punishment, rather than defaulting to severe terrorism charges​​.

Broader Implications for the Muslim Community

The briefing note highlights how the current approach by the NSW police and the broader Australian legal system can exacerbate feelings of alienation and discrimination within the Muslim community. By disproportionately targeting Muslims with terrorism charges and overlooking similar actions by non-Muslims, the system undermines trust and increases the sense of injustice among Australian Muslims​​.

AMAN’s Recommendations

AMAN recommends several measures to address these issues:

1. Review and Reform Policing Standards: Establish clear and consistent guidelines for when and how terrorism charges should be applied, ensuring mental health assessments are integral to the decision-making process.
2. Protect Human Rights: Ensure that counterterrorism measures respect the human rights of all individuals, particularly vulnerable groups such as those with mental health issues or disabilities.
3. Community Engagement: Foster better relationships between the police and the Muslim community to build trust and cooperation.
4. Education and Training: Provide comprehensive training for police officers on cultural sensitivity and the appropriate handling of cases involving mental health issues.

The recent counterterrorism policing events in Sydney reveal critical flaws in how such cases are handled, particularly concerning individuals with mental health issues. AMAN’s detailed briefing note calls for urgent reforms to ensure fair and humane treatment for all, highlighting the need for consistency, transparency, and respect for human rights. For more information and to support our advocacy efforts, please visit our website or contact us directly.

The post AMAN Raises Concerns Over Recent Counterterrorism Policing in Sydney appeared first on Australian Muslim Advocacy Network.

PROFESSOR SHAHRAM AKBARZADEH ALFRED DEAKIN INSTITUTE FOR CITIZENSHIP AND GLOBALISATION DEAKIN UNIVERSITY

Surveillance

There is a strong sense of concern over the amount of scrutiny faced collectively by Australian Muslims, with the whole Muslim community bearing the brunt of perceived ‘guilt by association’ with terrorism. There are concerns that  community policing is now morphing into an intelligence gathering strategy, with detrimental effects on community confidence in law enforcement agencies. The success of community policing rests on community trust and support for police counter-terrorism efforts. 

Impact on Australian Muslims

Members of the Muslim community have stressed the importance of engaging with the community as a key factor to counter violent extremism. The success of community policing is often undermined by the police’s focus on surveillance and intelligence gathering, rather than on genuine efforts to include Muslims in creating counter-terrorism strategies and policies.^[1]

The question of trust – Anti-Muslim sentiments

Anti-terror tactics employed by the police against Muslims have contributed to the erosion of confidence in the police. Among these include ‘stop and search’ powers against Muslims, informal questioning of Muslims, and raids and searches of Muslims’ houses. Anti-terror police raids remain a source of contention, with many respondents expressing that the way such raids are conducted is offensive and upsetting to Australian Muslims. 

The politicisation of police

Many Muslims are disillusioned with the way politicians and the media sensationalise terrorist attacks and imply that there is a link between Islam and terrorism. This sensationalism is seen as fear mongering, often by politicians to advance ‘their own agenda.’  There is an overwhelming feeling that Australian public opinion of Muslims is skewered by sensationalism. Effective community policing facilitates two-way engagement between the police and Muslim community and requires that the police are responsive to Muslim concerns and recommendations. 

Valued as a citizen

The spike in anti-Muslim discourse following 9/11 has led to feelings of isolation within the Australian Muslim community. There are also sentiments that Muslims have to work significantly harder than non-Muslims for their voices to be heard and that when it comes to counter-terrorism strategies, their opinions, concerns and recommendations were not taken seriously by authorities. 

Freedom of religious expression and freedom

Members of the Muslim community have discussed this in relation to voting in elections, which they claimed was their ‘strongest power’ in validating their opinions, however, there are overall feelings of being treated as ‘second class citizens’.

The Muslim community and consultation

The feeling of not being heard among Australian Muslims is elevated at times of crisis. Many respondents expressed frustration over the lack of meaningful consultation with the Australian Federal Government and police regarding anti- terror laws and strategies.

To download the research paper, visit here.

Citation: Akbarzadeh, Shahram (2021) Australian Muslims’ Experiences of Policing and Surveillance (Australian Muslim Women’s Centre for Human Rights: Melbourne).

^[1] Cherney, Adrian and Kristina Murphy (2016) ‘Being a ‘suspect community’ in a post 9/11 world – The impact of the war on terror on Muslim communities in Australia’, Australian & New Zealand Journal of Criminology, Vol. 49, No. 4, pp. 480 – 496

The post Policy brief – Australian Muslims’ Experiences of Policing and Surveillance appeared first on Australian Muslim Advocacy Network.

WEDNESDAY, 8 SEPTEMBER 2021

The Australian Muslim Advocacy Network (AMAN) urges Premier Gladys Berejiklian to not delay legislating urgently needed protections against discrimination and vilification. The NSW Government has delivered its response to the Religious Freedom Bill inquiry.

While the Berejiklian Government committed to amend the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW) (ADA) to prohibit discrimination on the ground of religious belief or activity, it would delay legislating until after Religious Discrimination Bil 2019 (Cth) passed through the Federal Parliament.

There is no guarantee or timeframe for this. Already 3 years have passed since the Expert Panel Report: Religious Freedoms Review recommended this change. The change would be simple, but the debilitating harm it will reduce is widespread. Muslim children, students, workers and communities are discriminated against with impunity in NSW. Discrimination, without any form of recourse, is devastating and can destroy careers and lives.

Acting swiftly is clearly in the public interest. Despite being one of the most targeted communities, Muslims living in NSW have absolutely no recourse, unlike Jews, Sikhs and other racial minorities experiencing racism.

The post Premier Berejiklian, Don’t Deny Much Needed Protection! appeared first on Australian Muslim Advocacy Network.

The prosecution and sentencing of Stipe Lozina, 43, yesterday for the vicious physical assault of a 38 week pregnant woman, Rana Elasmar shows how woefully unfit Australian laws are for protecting Australians of different ethnicities and faiths.

Lozina brazenly punched and stomped on the head of a 38 year week pregnant woman, 15 times, as if she was nothing because of her religion.

Lozina was charged with assault occasioning bodily harm rather than a hate crime, as hate crime laws do not exist in NSW.

While it is yet to be confirmed that the hate motivation of the crime was considered as an aggravation, the sentence of 3 years, with only 2 years non-parole, provides inadequate protection to the Muslim community or justice for the hate crime.

He may have pleaded guilty, but media reports showed he only had disrespect, not remorse, by turning his back to her and shouting during the sentencing. This outcome does not reflect community expectations and underlines that the
NSW Parliament must take urgent action to introduce hate crime laws.

This case also underscores the urgency of national and NSW laws to provide a vilification remedy for people of faith.

The soon to arrive Online Safety Bill at the federal level must act on dehumanisation and hatred targeting whole minority communities, not only individual abuse as previously suggested.

Hate materials portraying us as a subhuman existential threat are widely available online and nothing is being done about it.

AMAN commends Ms Elasmar for her inspiring bravery and leadership throughout this ordeal.

The post Sentencing of Islamophobic attacker shows laws are woefully unfit appeared first on Australian Muslim Advocacy Network.

The post Sentencing of Australian terrorist, Brenton Tarrant, 29 August 2020 appeared first on Australian Muslim Advocacy Network.

We strongly support the recommendation for quantitative research on the nature and prevalence of serious harms on the basis of religion.

Minority faith communities are experiencing tremendous pressure in the form of discrimination, public acts of hatred, online harassment and endangerment, as well as specific targeting by growing white supremacist movements. 

However, as the Commissioners have pointed out, national data on the prevalence of these serious harms is missing – making it very hard for institutions to act.

We support this research being conducted collaboratively with existing community data collection mechanisms.  

At the national level in the Australian Muslim community, the Islamophobia Register Australia (IRA) has been at the forefront for several years, providing a vehicle for empirical analysis by Charles Sturt University.

IRA has called for data-collecting communities to be better resourced, and the facilitation of a cross-community alliance that can deliver nationally consistent data. 

The Islamic Council of Victoria (ICV) has also called for data coordination between anti-discrimination authorities, police, the IRA and itself to provide a complete picture of Islamophobic hate incidents in their state.

Through the Australian Hate Crime Network, AMAN has found engagement between Muslim, Jewish and a range of other targeted communities, alongside researchers, policy and policymakers to be very beneficial. 

We also support the recommendation with regard to considering best practice reporting mechanisms, especially those in the UK, Europe, the US and Canada.

We support the recommendation regarding targeted education programs for groups such as police, security services, school students and the media. 

We commend the AHRC and VEOHRC for their leadership in making this proposal to the Australian and Victorian Governments and look forward to offering our assistance to towards creating nationally consistent and reliable prevalence data.

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