Letters filled with hate speech and threats of violence have once again brought attention to a series of racist communications targeting independent senators and a prominent mosque in Australia. The letters, which have been reported to police, connect threats made to Lakemba Mosque with earlier incidents involving independent senators Lidia Thorpe and Fatima Payman, as well as former Greens leader Adam Bandt.
In recent weeks, three letters were sent to Australia’s largest mosque, Lakemba Mosque, including references to the Christchurch terror attack and threats to “burn them out.” A spokesperson for NSW Police confirmed that one of these letters has been seized for forensic examination. The similarities between these letters and those sent to politicians include distinctive handwriting, swastikas, and the use of a rifle bullet dipped in ink as a stamp.
Previous Threats to Politicians
The ABC has uncovered that similar letters were sent to branches of the Victorian Greens in 2022 and the NSW Greens in 2024. Despite being reported to police, no arrests were made at the time. The letters targeting Senator Thorpe, who was then part of the Greens, contained racist slurs and threats against her and her family. Senator Thorpe only became aware of these threats recently, expressing frustration over the lack of communication.
“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 noted these letters as particularly serious. She questioned why the individual responsible was not apprehended, given previous arrests of white supremacists and National Socialist Network members for similar threats.
Ongoing Threats and Community Impact
In 2024, another letter threatening to “kill Muslims” was sent to the NSW branch of the Greens, targeting former leader Adam Bandt and Senator Fatima Payman. Former Greens staffer Shane Bazzi reported the incident to police and Crime Stoppers. Senator Payman has also received additional threatening communications, which have been reported to the AFP.
“My office is pretty much bombarded with hate and death threats,” Senator Payman said.
Referencing a recent alleged terror attack on January 26, Senator Payman emphasized the heightened vigilance within her community. She expressed concerns for those visibly different, including hijabi girls, Muslims, migrants, and Aboriginal people.
Response from Authorities and Community Leaders
Lakemba Mosque caretaker Gamel Kheir criticized the initial response from New South Wales Police, stating that political pressure was necessary to prompt action. He questioned the seriousness with which authorities are addressing the rise of racism and bigotry.
“I genuinely believe that the police didn’t take it seriously,” Mr. Kheir said.
NSW Police stated that they take hate crimes seriously and encourage reporting. However, the Australian Federal Police declined to comment. Meanwhile, community leaders, including Senator Thorpe, call for a stronger response to racist threats and the implementation of the Australian Human Rights Commission’s National Anti-Racism Framework.
Political and Social Implications
As Islam’s holy month of Ramadan begins, Mr. Kheir urged politicians to foster unity within the community. He expressed concern over the discourse surrounding the Arab community, particularly in light of One Nation’s rise in opinion polls and inflammatory comments from figures like Senator Pauline Hanson.
“Sadly, we live in a world where tolerance is at an all-time low and intolerance is at an all-time high,” Mr. Kheir said.
He noted that while some threats appear to come from different sources, the broader issue of intolerance and bigotry remains significant. The community continues to grapple with these challenges, seeking both immediate and long-term solutions to combat hate and promote inclusivity.
