First Nations Australians Detail Escalating Online Racism, Prompting Parliamentary Inquiry
Indigenous Australians are speaking out about a dramatic increase in racist abuse and violent threats they face online, describing an environment where hate speech has become a daily reality. The Australian government has responded by launching a parliamentary inquiry into racism, hate, and violence directed toward First Nations people.
Daily Torrent of Abuse
Kaurna, Narungga and Ngarrindjeri woman Natasha Wanganeen, who regularly discusses community issues on social media, says racist comments have escalated from occasional occurrences to constant harassment. "Disgusting abuse has become part of daily life online," Wanganeen told media outlets.
She described receiving a voice message in 2020 where a man threatened sexual assault while using racial slurs and declaring Australia as "white people's land." In recent months, she has been called a "black cunt" and "cancer on society" among other derogatory terms.
Wanganeen's experience reflects a broader pattern documented by multiple high-profile Indigenous Australians who report that online abuse has become more frequent and violent, particularly following the failed voice to parliament referendum in 2023.
Systematic Documentation of Racist Incidents
The Jumbunna Institute at the University of Technology Sydney established the Call It Out register in 2022 to collect reports of racist incidents toward First Nations people. The register consistently receives approximately 500 reports annually, including both firsthand and witness accounts.
Dr. Fiona Allison, associate professor at the Jumbunna Institute, emphasizes that online hate carries "real world implications." Reports include:
- Threats of violence against young Indigenous people
- References to KKK ideology and lynchings
- Display of KKK symbols in public spaces
The volume of abusive messages has become so overwhelming that recipients struggle to distinguish between genuine threats and empty hate speech.
Government Response and Parliamentary Inquiry
Following an attempted terror attack allegedly targeting Indigenous people and their allies in Perth on January 26, Minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy expressed "very concerned" about rising online hatred and racism.
On Thursday, McCarthy announced a parliamentary inquiry that will examine both the Perth incident and an attack on Melbourne's Camp Sovereignty by neo-Nazis. "This inquiry ensures they can have their say and their experiences will be heard by the parliament," McCarthy stated.
The Yanyuwa woman and senator noted she regularly hears from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people about increasing hate and racism, particularly online. Submissions to the inquiry close on May 1, with findings to be tabled in September.
Impact on Public Figures and Community Members
Indigenous politicians face particularly high volumes of racist abuse. Yamatji and Noongar woman Dorinda Cox, a Western Australian senator, receives regular racist "trolling," abusive phone calls, and derogatory comments on social media.
"People feel a little bit emboldened right now to make some of that commentary, which I haven't seen in many, many decades in my working life," Cox observed.
Fitness influencer and content creator Allira Potter, who gained prominence during the 2020 Black Lives Matter movement, notes that supportive engagement has tapered off while abusive comments have increased, especially when she discusses Indigenous issues.
"A lot of people in general feel really comfortable being racist," Potter said, explaining she now restricts comments to followers only on some platforms.
Escalating Threats and Safety Measures
Independent Victorian senator Lidia Thorpe, a Gunnai, Gunditjmara and Djab Wurrung woman, describes the current situation as unprecedented. "It's never been this bad," she stated, noting that systemic racism affects daily life for First Nations people.
Thorpe receives hundreds of abusive comments on social media posts, along with death threats and threats of sexual violence through her parliamentary inbox and other channels. One message seen by media read: "bring your abo shit and I will kill you in a heartbeat slut."
Her office has implemented extensive safety measures including:
- A risk matrix to assess threats
- Locked office doors with multiple exits
- Regular security procedure updates
- Federal police protection during public appearances
Thorpe no longer receives mail at her home and is cautious about announcing speaking engagements due to safety concerns.
Referendum Aftermath and Community Resilience
Multiple sources identified the failed voice to parliament referendum campaign as a turning point in online rhetoric. Kaurareg, Kalkalgal and Erubamle Torres Strait Islander man Thomas Mayo, a lead campaigner for the yes vote, noted that racism "exploded" when political opposition to the voice intensified.
"It was like the floodgates were opened," Mayo said, describing how his family also became targets of racist abuse. Despite the intimidation, he encourages resilience: "Let it give you energy to defy them, and not let them keep you down."
Thorpe similarly refuses to be silenced, viewing advocacy as her responsibility despite the personal risk. "If you're a fucking casualty at the end of the day, then that's what you are, as long as you go down fighting," she stated.
The parliamentary inquiry represents a formal recognition of the escalating crisis facing Indigenous Australians online, as communities grapple with how to address hate speech while maintaining their voices in public discourse.
