The Malik Report is out of step with Australia

Every Australian deserves protection from threats, violence and genuine discrimination.

That protection should apply equally to Christians, Jews, Muslims and people of every faith and no faith at all. But the Albanese Government’s response to the Malik Report goes far beyond protecting people from violence.

The Government has accepted 35 of the report’s 54 recommendations. Its response includes an Islamophobia Education Taskforce, curriculum reviews, training for parliamentarians and public servants, new grants, expanded police liaison programs and legal requirements for universities.

The report also proposes sweeping programs across schools, universities, workplaces, health services, the media and Parliament. It recommends specific Islamophobia frameworks, government-funded media initiatives, reporting mechanisms, compulsory training and sanctions for parliamentarians.

This is completely out of step with the Australian principle of equality before the law.

Government should protect people from threats and violence. It should not create a sprawling bureaucracy designed around the sensitivities of one religious community.

Religious freedom does not mean freedom from criticism.

Australians must remain free to question religious doctrines, debate immigration and integration, scrutinise political movements and raise legitimate concerns about extremism without being accused of hatred.

Schools should teach children how to think, not what they must think about contested religious and political issues.

Universities should defend open inquiry, not operate under vague standards that could chill legitimate discussion.

Parliamentarians should answer to voters, not undergo annual ideological training overseen by government-appointed authorities.

The Malik Report risks dividing Australians into protected identity groups instead of treating every citizen equally.

Australia does not need separate rules for different religions. We need one law, one standard and equal protection for all. 

Send an email to your federal MP and demand that the Government halt the implementation of the Malik Report, protect free speech and apply religious protections equally to every Australian.