Overview

• Special envoy Aftab Malik handed down a national plan detailing 54 actions across law reform, policing, data, education and accountability.
• Malik says incidents have “skyrocketed” since Oct. 7, citing about a 150% rise in person and 250% online, while the Islamophobia Register reports a 530% surge.
• The report urges federal religious discrimination protections and explicit coverage of Muslims as an ethno‑religious group under the Racial Discrimination Act.
• A review of counter‑terrorism laws and practices is proposed to test for discriminatory effects, supported by a Muslim advisory panel on future reforms.
• Recommendations include a parliamentary inquiry into Islamophobia, better hate‑crime data and AFP training, stronger online safety rules, and employer duties, as Albanese pledges careful consideration and community leaders press for timely action following recent bomb hoaxes and assaults.