Submissions
Submissions are a key mechanism through which the Office of the Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia advocates for reform and shapes policy and legislation. They aim to provide a platform to incorporate input and lived experience of Muslim communities across Australia, alongside targeted recommendations provided directly to decision makers. This work forms part of a core part of the Office's advocacy, the ability to raise concerns, influence reform and advance measures that address or intersect with Islamophobia, with the aim of reducing its prevalence and addressing structural and institutional inequalities.
Submission for the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security: Review of the Exposure Draft Legislation Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism Bill 2026
15 Jan 2026
On 12 January 2026, The Minister for Home Affairs, the Hon Tony Burke MP, wrote to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (the Committee) to refer an Exposure Draft of the Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism Bill 2026 for inquiry and report.
As the Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia, I support the Government’s shared commitment to safety, dignity and mutual respect following the violent attack and the killing of members of the Jewish community at Bondi Beach on 14 December 2025.
In accordance with my terms of reference to advise and assist the Government to better understand and combat Islamophobia, this submission focuses on addressing what I perceive to be an inequitable framework that contains significant gaps in the protection of all Australians.
It is my recommendation that the Bill be amended to include religion as a protected attribute within the Criminal Code and Migration Act and incorporate adequate procedural safeguards to ensure the law is comprehensive, fair and just for all.
Submission for the Independent National Security Legislation Monitor: Review of the Definition of Terrorism
01 Dec 2025
On 11 August 2025, the Independent National Security Legislation Monitor (INSLM) Mr Jake Blight, initiated the inquiry to review the terrorist act definition in section 100.1 of the Criminal Code Act 1995(Cth). My submission outlines that linking terrorism to religion – particularly Islam – has resulted in significant social harm, further entrenching Islamophobia. It has undermined trust between communities and government and diverted valuable law enforcement resources away from emerging security threats in Australia.
Submission for the Social Licence Steering Committee - Safety and Inclusion Social License Initiative
27 Jun 2025
In my ongoing engagement with the University Chancellors Council (UCC) and Universities Australia (UA), I was invited to make a submission to their Social Licence Steering Committee, which was established to strengthen public trust in Australia’s universities. This initiative recognises that maintaining social licence is critical to the sector’s long-term sustainability and success, and that university social licence is dependent on universities ongoing engagement with students, staff, communities, and broader society.