Canberra, 6 August 2025 – The African Australian Advocacy Centre (AAAC) was honoured to represent African Australian communities at a pivotal moment in Australia’s national conversation on race and equity. Invited by Race Discrimination Commissioner Giridharan Sivaraman to attend his address at the National Press Club of Australia, the AAAC stood alongside leaders and advocates united in the pursuit of meaningful systemic change.
Commissioner Sivaraman delivered a bold keynote, and one of our takeaways was “There’s nothing casual about racism: Getting serious about racial equality in Australia,” underscoring that racism persists in every facet of daily life, from education and workplaces to healthcare, media, justice, and the arts. He described the newly introduced National Anti-Racism Framework as a transformative ten-year roadmap for ending racism through collective, cross-societal action, centring First Nations people and lifting the burden of change from those most affected.
AAAC’s Role: From Community Voice to National Blueprint
The AAAC has long been a driving force in shaping inclusive and equitable policies. Notably, the organisation played a vital role in the creation of the National Anti-Racism Framework, launched at Parramatta Town Hall in December 2024. At the launch, Noel Zihabamwe of AAAC expressed gratitude to Commissioner Sivaraman for his leadership and encapsulated the framework’s essence with the phrase: “Racism divides, but anti-racism connects” African Australian Advocacy Centre.
The framework itself offers 63 recommendations spanning legal, systemic, educational, cultural, and media reforms. Initiatives include establishing a National Anti-Racism Taskforce, rolling out structured 5-year implementation plans, enhancing racial literacy, improving cultural safety, and ensuring accountability through data and monitoring mechanisms. Independent reporting highlights additional key reforms such as positive duty obligations on employers, amendments to the Racial Discrimination Act, stronger oversight of workplaces and digital platforms, inclusive representation, and robust data collection to track progress and shape policy.
Downloadable Resources & Reports
- National Anti-Racism Framework – The full report—and summary—are available via the Australian Human Rights Commission’s website, providing comprehensive insight and actionable recommendations Human Rights CommissionDHI Health NSW.
- We Belong Here: Framework for Human Rights and Equity for Australians of African Descent – AAAC’s flagship report (launched 21 March 2024) articulates the lived experiences of African Australians, identifies systemic gaps, and offers a strengths-based, community-led framework for racial justice. Co-authored with RMIT. WSU and other academic collaborators, this report stems from AAAC’s submission in response to the UN Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent (UN WGEPAD) recommendations.
Looking Ahead
The inclusion of AAAC at such a high-profile gathering reinforces the truth that eliminating racism is not a passive ambition; it demands intentional, well-resourced, and community-designed strategies. By combining these efforts, Australia is moving towards a future where all can belong, contribute, and thrive.
We look forward to continuing to work together with the Australian Human Rights Commission to ensure the Framework’s vision translates into real, lasting change for communities across the country.