Australian Government adopts 35 of 54 Islamophobia report recommendations

The Albanese government has released its response to the special envoy Aftab Malik’s report on Islamophobia in Australia. Of the 54 recommendations, the government has agreed to adopt 35, including the creation of an Islamophobia education taskforce, expanded Australian Federal Police community liaison teams, a new Social Cohesion Consultative Board, and additional funding for the Office for Multicultural Affairs.

Settlement Services International welcomed the steps but warned that education alone will not eradicate structural racism. CEO Violet Roumeliotis said, “The government’s response includes important and welcome measures, but tackling Islamophobia requires more than education alone.” The organisation urged a broader, whole‑of‑government effort, an independent review of counter‑terrorism laws for potential discriminatory impacts, and a dedicated inquiry into Islamophobia, anti‑Palestinian and anti‑Arab racism.

The response marks the first formal adoption of the envoy’s recommendations and signals a shift toward a coordinated national strategy to improve social cohesion and protect Muslim Australians.