Special envoy on Islamophobia appointed as political tensions flare over pro-Palestine protests

Following months of delay, the Federal Government has finally named its anti-Islamophobia envoy to work alongside the antisemitism envoy appointed in July.

But the choice has already sparked criticism from some within the nation’s Muslim community for his previous work on some controversial countering violent extremism (CVE) programs.

Public servant and academic Aftab Malik is the Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia in Australia. He will take up the role on 14 October.

Jillian Segal AO was appointed in July as Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism in Australia as part of the Federal Government’s efforts to preserve social cohesion in Australia.

A special envoy appointment focussing on Islamophobia was promised at the time as “imminent” but was only just announced on Monday (30 September).

Anthony Albanese said Mr Malik’s appointment was a crucial part of the government’s strategy to ensure all Australians feel safe and included, and it follows extensive consultation with the community.

“Every Australian, whatever their race or religion, should be able to feel safe and at home in any community, without prejudice or discrimination,” the Prime Minister said.

“The ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to deeply affect communities across Australia.

“The Special Envoy will listen to and engage with members of the Muslim community, religious discrimination experts and all levels of government on the most effective ways to combat Islamophobia.”

Mr Malik is recognised as a global expert on Muslim affairs by the UN Alliance of Civilisations. He has spent almost a decade working in the New South Wales Premier’s Department, promoting social cohesion and countering hate and extremism.

The Muslim community in Australia appears divided over the appointment, which was greeted with both enthusiastic support and concerned criticism.

Some social media posts have suggested the CVE programs he worked on were divisive and designed to shut down community discussion, with the effect of criminalising some community behaviour.

Other posts have described him as the right person for the job.

Mr Malik said he was eager to start in the role, which is for a three-year term.

“Promoting social cohesion and fighting against hate in Australia is more important today than it’s ever been,” he said.

“I look forward to working with Muslim leaders and the broader community to promote peace, understanding and inclusivity.”

Mr Malik will report directly to the Prime Minister and the Minister for Home Affairs, Immigration and Multiculturalism, and Cyber Security, Tony Burke.

The Minister said the appointment of Mr Malik will bolster the government’s $90 million investment in initiatives to tackle the ongoing impacts of the Hamas-Israel conflict in Australia, demonstrating the government’s firm commitment to listening to and working with affected communities.

“Bigotry is always wrong,” Mr Burke said.

“You should be able to live safely and freely in Australia, regardless of who you are or what you believe.”

Weekend protests in Sydney and Melbourne in support of Palestine saw some people raise Hezbollah flags and framed photos of the terrorist group’s slain leader, Hassan Nasrallah.

Police are investigating the incidents and threatening those protesters with jail, but Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has suggested Federal Parliament be recalled to urgently strengthen enforcement powers.

“I believe that there are provisions within the existing law. If there’s not, the Prime Minister should recall Parliament and deal with whatever deficiency there is in the law,” Mr Dutton said during a media interview Tuesday morning (1 October).

“But we haven’t seen people arrested as we would have expected on university campuses or on the steps of the Opera House, and this level of antisemitism that’s built up in our country, I think, is deeply worrying.”

Mr Burke accused the Opposition Leader of trying to “throw more kerosene on the fire” of religious and racial tensions in the country.

“With Peter Dutton, it remains the case that no matter how many times our security agencies say we need to lower the temperature in Australia, he wants to raise the temperature every single time,” he said.

Finance and Public Service Minister Katy Gallagher was also asked about Mr Dutton’s suggestion to recall the parliament and to give the AFP greater powers to arrest those who allegedly held Hezbollah flags at protests.

She condemned the raising of Hezbollah flags as “absolutely inappropriate” and added that it was “absolutely appropriate” that the police investigate the matter.

“I think that the Leader of the Opposition knows that the police are, and have indicated that they are investigating the matters on the weekend, including the raising of those flags of a listed terrorist organisation,” Senator Gallagher said.

“It is appropriate, and in this country, we do have law enforcement agencies that actually undertake the investigation.

“The investigation is not undertaken by the Leader of the Opposition.

“Parliament is sitting next week. I think the Leader of the Opposition understands what he’s doing here, which is trying to raise and create further division at a moment where people are feeling extremely concerned about what’s happening in the Middle East.”