Racist hate mail targeting independent senators Lidia Thorpe and Fatima Payman, as well as former Greens leader Adam Bandt, has resurfaced, drawing connections to recent threats against Lakemba Mosque. The letters, which have been reported to police for a second time, contain hate speech and references to the Christchurch terror attack, threatening to “burn them out.”
A spokesperson for New South Wales Police confirmed that one of the letters sent to the mosque has been seized and is undergoing forensic examination. The discovery follows similar letters sent to branches of the Victorian Greens in 2022 and the NSW Greens in 2024, which were reported to police but did not lead to any arrests.
Similarities in Hate Mail Raise Concerns
The letters share distinct characteristics, including similar handwriting, swastikas, and the use of a rifle bullet dipped in ink as a stamp. These similarities have raised concerns about a potential link between the threats against politicians and the mosque.
The ABC has chosen not to publish the full contents of the letters due to their hateful nature. Among those targeted was Senator Thorpe, who learned of the threats only recently, despite them being reported without her knowledge in 2023.
“The hurt is that I didn’t know about this, and the AFP and the government have known about threats on my life for so long,” Senator Thorpe said.
Senator Thorpe has faced multiple threats since entering politics, but she considers these letters among the most serious. She questioned why the individual responsible for these threats has not been apprehended.
Renewed Investigations and Political Reactions
The Australian Federal Police are now expected to investigate these letters alongside the threats to Lakemba Mosque. In 2024, a similar letter threatening to “kill Muslims” was sent to the NSW Greens, targeting Adam Bandt and Senator Payman. Former Greens staffer Shane Bazzi reported the incident to police in 2024 and again recently.
Senator Payman has also received additional threats, which have been reported to the AFP. She expressed concern over the safety of visibly different communities, especially in light of a recent alleged terror attack targeting Indigenous Australians and allies.
“With what happened recently here in WA, we have become more vigilant and I have a heart full of concerns for those who are visibly different,” Senator Payman said.
Community and Political Leaders Call for Action
Gamel Kheir, caretaker of Lakemba Mosque, criticized the initial police response to the threats, stating that political pressure was necessary to prompt action. He questioned the seriousness with which authorities and elected officials address rising racism and bigotry.
NSW Police issued a statement affirming their commitment to taking hate crimes seriously and encouraging victims to report incidents. However, the Australian Federal Police declined to comment.
Senator Thorpe plans to seek meetings with government officials, including the Minister for Multicultural Affairs and the Indigenous Australians Minister, to discuss implementing the Australian Human Rights Commission’s National Anti-Racism Framework.
“What’s it going to take? Is it going to take, you know, someone actually taking me out or a massacre at a mosque?” Senator Thorpe asked.
Broader Implications and Social Climate
As Ramadan begins, Kheir urged politicians to foster unity within the community. He expressed concern over the rise of intolerance, exacerbated by figures like Senator Pauline Hanson, who has been criticized for recent inflammatory comments about Muslims.
Kheir noted that while some threats appear to come from different sources, the broader issue of intolerance and bigotry needs addressing beyond individual arrests.
“Sadly, we live in a world where tolerance is at an all-time low and intolerance is at an all-time high,” Kheir said.
The situation underscores the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to combat hate crimes and protect vulnerable communities across Australia.
