Prime Minister Albanese has released the government’s formal response to a 54-recommendation report by Australia’s Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia, accepting 35 recommendations and announcing a new education taskforce.
The Australian Government has released its formal response to the national report on combating Islamophobia, announcing new measures including an Islamophobia Education Taskforce, increased support for Muslim institutions, and dedicated funding for Muslim women’s wellbeing.
On 18 July 2026, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the establishment of a 12-month Islamophobia Education Taskforce, which will consider actions to help the Australian education system prevent, tackle and properly respond to Islamophobia. Department of Education
The government’s response addresses a report containing 54 recommendations shaped by evidence, expert advice and the lived experiences of Muslim Australians, presented by Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia Aftab Malik approximately ten months ago. Oseci
The government is investing a further $2.6 million over four years from 2026-27 into the Office for Multicultural Affairs to deliver measures to combat Islamophobia. The response also includes recognition of the 15 March Christchurch terrorist attack, increased support for the safety of Muslim institutions, steps to improve the reporting of hate incidents, and the establishment of an Australian Muslim Affairs Institute. Department of Home Affairs
The Islamophobia Register recorded a dramatic increase in reported incidents from January 2023 through November 2024, with more than 300 confirmed in-person incidents reported, more than double the average of any previous reporting period, and 366 online incidents, more than three times the previous average. The Conversation
The Australian Federation of Islamic Councils, the nation’s peak body for Muslims, welcomed the government’s commitment to act on 35 of the 54 recommendations but said the response fell short in key areas, calling for further detail on how leaders planned to address all remaining recommendations. CityNews
Full details of the government’s response are available at homeaffairs.gov.au.
