Australia Launches Inquiry into Rising Racial Discrimination and Violence Against Indigenous Communities

Kathmandu. The Australian government has announced a new investigation to examine rising incidents of racial discrimination, hate, and violence against Indigenous communities. This decision follows an alleged terrorist attack in Western Australia in January.

Australia's Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Malarndirri McCarthy, informed that she requested the Indigenous Affairs Committee within the Parliament to investigate incidents of racial discrimination, hate, and violence against Indigenous communities, and the committee has accepted the request.

According to the government, a detailed study on this matter is necessary as incidents of racial discrimination against Indigenous Australians have been observed to be increasing recently. On January 26, during a protest led by the Indigenous community in Perth, Western Australia, where thousands gathered, one individual was accused of throwing a homemade explosive device towards the crowd. Although the explosive device did not detonate, officials stated that it had the potential to cause significant casualties.

A 32-year-old man from Western Australia has been arrested and charged with involvement in terrorist activities in connection with this incident. This is reportedly the first case registered in the state's history involving charges related to terrorist acts. Investigators suspect the attack was motivated by racial hatred and extremist ideology.

According to Minister McCarthy, fear and anger have increased within the Indigenous community following the Perth incident. Previously, in August 2025, there was an attack by a white supremacist group on an Indigenous protest camp in Melbourne.

The investigation committee established by the government is expected to study incidents of racial discrimination, hate, and violence against Indigenous communities and publish its report by mid-September.