Australia’s special envoy to combat Islamophobia has an empty office

CANBERRA, Australia (MNTV) – Initially hailed as a strong signal in the fight against religious discrimination, Australia’s special envoy for Islamophobia remains an empty shell nearly a year after the position was announced, reports The Canberra Times.

Despite being created by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, no staff have been hired and the office remains inactive.

Established in 2023, the position was intended to send a clear message to Australia’s Muslim community: a firm commitment to combatting hate crimes and stigmatizing rhetoric.

However, the lack of personnel, logistical resources, and a concrete roadmap has sparked criticism and frustration among civil society and community leaders alike.

At the time of its creation, the envoy role was welcomed by several Muslim organizations as a milestone in the institutional recognition of Islamophobia. Yet the absence of human resources—no advisors, assistants, or project officers—has cast serious doubt on the sincerity of the initiative.

Muslim organizations say this position has become purely symbolic. Many view the delay as a form of deliberate inaction. This concern is heightened by a noticeable rise in Islamophobic incidents in recent years, driven by polarizing public debates and the growth of identity-based movements.

Criticism of the government’s inaction is mounting. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese defended his administration last February, stating that his government “does not downplay the issue of Islamophobia.” He also praised public figures like cricketer Usman Khawaja for their vocal stance against religious hatred.

But political responses remain sluggish. The lack of a concrete structure supporting the special envoy raises fears that the announcement was little more than political theater. Several Muslim leaders in Australia have already voiced concerns that the delay may deepen distrust in public institutions.

As Australia prepares to renew several social and community initiatives, attention is increasingly focused on this file. The Muslim community—representing about 3.2% of the country’s population—continues to demand tangible measures: data collection, monitoring of attacks, and awareness campaigns in schools and the media.

Without genuine political will, the special envoy risks fading into the background as an unfulfilled promise.

The issue highlights the limitations of symbolic policies that lack practical implementation.

Amid rising religious tensions across several Western countries, Australia is now being watched closely as a test case: one that will measure whether democracies can turn their rhetoric of tolerance into concrete action.