Australia's race discrimination commissioner has issued a stark warning, accusing social media companies of permitting racist and antisemitic hatred to spread "unchecked" across their platforms. Giridharan Sivaraman stated that such content is often allowed to fester because, in a damning assessment, "racism and hate can be profitable."
A Failure to Act on a National Framework
Speaking on International Migrants Day at a Queensland Council of Unions meeting and in an interview with Guardian Australia, Sivaraman expressed deep concern over the nation's direction. He argued that the recent atrocity at Bondi Beach, where a gunman killed 15 people, might have been mitigated by earlier governmental action.
Specifically, he pointed to the government's failure to adopt and fund the Australian Human Rights Commission's national anti-racism framework. This blueprint, launched in November 2024, contains 63 recommendations for a "whole of society" approach to eliminating racism.
"That taskforce could have identified, and still can identify, the recommendations to move with as a matter of priority, particularly to tackle antisemitism," Sivaraman said. He believes the lack of support for this plan has directly hindered efforts to combat the current wave of antisemitism.
Social Media Platforms in the Spotlight
The commissioner reserved his most direct criticism for technology giants, holding them partly responsible for the current "febrile and difficult times." He highlighted a worrying trend of platforms reducing their integrity measures.
"We've seen a move backwards in terms of the making redundant of factcheckers and the like across some platforms," Sivaraman noted. "That's a deliberate choice that allows mis- and disinformation to flow." He challenged the notion that online hate is an uncontrollable force, suggesting the will to address it is absent where it conflicts with profit motives.
Fears of Escalating Violence and a 'Cronulla 2.0'
Visibly affected by the recent violence, Sivaraman warned that the situation is likely to deteriorate before it improves. He voiced particular anxiety about the period surrounding 26 January, Australia Day, a date often marked by national tension.
His fears are grounded in explicit online threats. The commissioner revealed that messages are being circulated promoting a "Cronulla 2.0," a chilling reference to the race riots that erupted in Sydney in 2005. These messages actively encourage people to gather in Cronulla to assault individuals of Middle Eastern origin.
While welcoming new governmental measures to address antisemitism, Sivaraman stressed the need for broader action to protect all communities at risk. "In the coming months, it's going to get worse before it gets better," he stated solemnly, calling for urgent and comprehensive efforts to turn the tide of hatred and violence.
