Joint statement: It’s time to fully commit to the National Anti-Racism Framework

Developed after extensive consultation with communities across the country, the Framework sets out 63 recommendations for a whole-of-society approach to addressing racism across law, justice, education, health, education, media, and the arts.

The Framework makes clear that racism in Australia is not confined to individual acts of prejudice. It is systemic; it is woven through the laws, institutions, and practices that shape our lives. We cannot address racism or its harmful impacts without acknowledging this reality and taking deliberate, sustained action to dismantle it.

We commend the Australian government’s leadership in commissioning the National Anti-Racism Framework. That investment recognised that racism continues to harm individuals, divide communities, and undermine Australia’s social fabric.

One year on, however, there has been no further progress towards resourcing or implementing the Framework. More than 50 civil society organisations have joined together to call for national leadership from the Australian Government to fully fund and implement the National Anti-Racism Framework.

At a time when racism and division are deepening, there has never been a more pressing need for action. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples continue to experience systemic and everyday racism, which has only intensified since the referendum. There can be no racial justice in this country without racial justice for First Nations peoples.

Across the country, anti-migration rallies and racially-charged demonstrations are testing the limits of our rich multicultural identity. We are observing a deeply concerning rise in antisemitism, Islamophobia, and anti-Palestinian racism. These deepening divisions tear at the very fabric of our society and severely test our commitment to respect, inclusion, and social cohesion. The Framework provides a roadmap to address the root causes of these issues, which is why it is so important that the government acts on it now.

Developing the National Anti-Racism Framework was a solid first step. The next step is to bring the Framework to life — by formally endorsing, funding and implementing it in partnership with communities.

The Framework’s first two recommendations are for: (1) the Australian government to commit to the National Anti-Racism Framework to eliminate racism in Australia; and (2) to establish a National Anti-Racism Taskforce to oversee and advise on its implementation, including specific implementation plans to address racism against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other affected communities.

We encourage the Australian Government to act on these recommendations as a priority.

Now is the moment to act — to build an Australia where everyone belongs, and where equality, dignity and justice are not aspirations but lived realities.

On this first anniversary of the Framework, we – the undersigned organisations – urge the Australian Government to turn promise into progress by fully funding and implementing the National Anti-Racism Framework.

Convening organisations
This statement has been developed and convened by the Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS), Community Council for Australia (CCA), the Federation of Ethnic Communities Councils of Australia (FECCA), the Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA), the Settlement Council of Australia (SCOA), and SSI.

Supporting organisations
• African Australian Advocacy Centre (AAAC)
• Albury Wodonga Ethnic Communities Council
• Allies in Colour
• Amplify Alliance Australia
• Asian Australian Alliance
• Asylum Seekers Centre
• Asylum Seeker Resource Centre
• Australian Arab Institute for Culture and Ideas
• Australian Migrant Resource Centre
• Australian Multicultural Foundation
• Australian Muslim Women’s Centre for Human Rights
• Australian National Imams Council (ANIC)
• Arab Council Australia
• Bishops Commission for Social Justice, Mission and Service
• Brotherhood of St. Laurence
• Browns for Better
• Careers in Colour
• Chinese Australian Services Society (CASS)
• Chinese Community Council of Australia – Victoria Chapter
• Community Migrant Resource Centre
• CORE Community Services
• Democracy in Colour
• Ethnic Community Services
• Good Samaritan Sisters
• Hindus for Human Rights ANZ
• Islamic Society of South Australia
• Latin American Society of South Australia (LASSA)
• Migrant and Refugee Settlement Services (MARSS)
• Migration Institute of Australia
• Mosaic Multicultural Connections
• Multicultural Council of Tasmania
• Multicultural Council of Wagga Wagga
• Multicultural Youth South Australia
• Polaron Connect
• Professional Migrant Women Network
• Queensland Chinese Forum
• Rainbow Coast Neighbourhood Centre
• Reconciliation Australia
• Sisters of the Good Samaritan
• Socio-Cultural Syriac Inc. Association
• Sydney Multicultural Community Services
• SydWest Multicultural Services
• Tamil Safe Space
• Tamil Refugee Council
• The Australian Neighbourhood Houses and Centres Association
• Tong De Association of SA
• Wise Well Women Community Health Educators
• Wyndham Community & Education Centre