Investigation into Alleged Racial Discrimination by NSW Government

The Australian Human Rights Commission is currently investigating a complaint against New South Wales (NSW) Multiculturalism Minister Steve Kamper and his department. The complaint, lodged in December 2025 by the Alliance Against Islamophobia and the Periyar Ambedkar Thoughts Circle of Australia (Patca), alleges racial discrimination against organizations representing South Asian Muslims and caste-oppressed Hindu communities. The commission accepted the complaint for investigation after determining that the allegations were "reasonably arguable" under the law.

The Guardian

The complaint asserts that Kamper and Multicultural NSW failed to adequately address allegations made by these communities regarding the Hindu Council of Australia (HCA). It claims that both the minister and his department minimized concerns raised by Muslim and caste-oppressed groups and continued to endorse the HCA's position on the NSW Faith Affairs Council, despite being aware of the ongoing complaint against the HCA. The complaint also highlights that Multicultural NSW did not include references to caste-based discrimination in its state of community relations reports for 2023 and 2024, despite significant community concern.

The Guardian

Surinder Jain, a spokesperson for the Hindu Council of Australia, stated that the organization does not engage in discrimination against any community or faith group. Jain emphasized that the HCA takes its role on the NSW Faith Affairs Council seriously and believes it remains suitable for that position. In response to the allegations, a spokesperson for Minister Kamper acknowledged that a complaint had been lodged with the Human Rights Commission but did not provide further details.

The Guardian

Concerns about caste discrimination within the Indian diaspora in Australia have been highlighted in recent research, indicating that such discrimination remains systemic. Community leaders have expressed fears regarding divisions within the Indian-Australian community, particularly due to the actions of some Hindu nationalists who reportedly use social media to spread divisive rhetoric targeting minority groups, including Sikhs and Muslims.

The Guardian

The NSW government has reiterated its commitment to ensuring that all communities feel respected and supported, asserting that discrimination of any kind is unacceptable in NSW. The spokesperson for Multicultural NSW noted that the department has engaged with the organization that filed the complaint on multiple occasions to discuss their concerns.

The Guardian

While the Human Rights Commission is investigating the complaint, it did not accept all allegations, specifically rejecting claims of a breach of section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act, which pertains to racial hatred. This decision indicates a gap in the complaint's arguments regarding unlawful discrimination.

The Guardian

The Human Rights Commission may facilitate a conciliation process between the involved parties to resolve the complaint. If unresolved, the complainants have the option to pursue legal action in federal or circuit court. The outcome of this investigation could have significant implications for community relations and the handling of discrimination claims in NSW.

The Guardian