Human Rights Commission wants incident treated like Bondi

The Australian Human Rights Commission has tonight called for a nationwide effort to combat racism, following a recent alarming incident.

Social Justice Commissioner Katie Kiss has emphasized the need to address this “potential mass casualty event” with the same urgency as the Bondi Beach terrorist attack that occurred last December.

“Invasion Day gatherings are meant to be spaces for truth-telling, cultural empowerment, and the pursuit of justice—not places of fear,” Kiss stated in a release this evening.

While the motive behind the incident remains unclear, Kiss noted, “There is no doubt that the intended targets were Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and their supporters.”

She further expressed that, had the device exploded, the consequences could have been catastrophic, potentially mirroring the deadly impact of the Bondi attack.

Race Discrimination Commissioner Giridharan Sivaraman also stressed the urgent need to tackle hate and discrimination in a thorough and swift manner.

“The Australian Human Rights Commission’s National Anti-Racism Framework, which the federal government has yet to endorse and implement, provides a blueprint for effective action for tackling racism,” he said. 

“We cannot afford to wait any longer. Precious lives and freedoms are at imminent risk.”

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