The potential terrorist attack at the peaceful Invasion Day rally on 26 January has left many in our community shaken. An alleged homemade explosive device was thrown into a crowd of Aboriginal people and supporters who were gathering in truth‑telling, mourning and solidarity. It is only through sheer luck that lives were not lost.
The Western Australian Council of Social Service (WACOSS) stands with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, Elders, families and communities who are carrying yet another heavy burden of fear, grief and anger. This was an act of racism. It was an act of hate. And it must be recognised and responded to as such.
Aboriginal people are carrying deep pain, fear and anger in the wake of this attack. For generations, they have shown extraordinary generosity – opening their hearts, sharing their stories and continuing to invite all Australians into a more honest and united future. Even after the Voice to Parliament referendum and the Uluru Statement from the Heart, when many were left hurting, Aboriginal leaders continued to lead with kindness, courage and hope. That generosity is a gift. It is not a burden they should carry alone.
More than 580,000 Western Australians voted Yes in the Voice to Parliament referendum. That matters. It showed that a huge part of our community wants a fairer, kinder, more truthful Australia. But voting Yes was never the end of the work. Now more than ever, non‑Aboriginal people must stand up, speak out and ensure that all levels of government are listening. Allyship cannot be passive. It cannot be silent. It must be active, visible and courageous.
Monday’s potential terrorist attack is part of a long pattern of injustice that Aboriginal people have been naming for generations. When violence is minimised, when racism is softened, when the language used by authorities and media fails to reflect the truth, it sends a message that Aboriginal lives are less worthy of protection. That is unacceptable.
If we want a united Australia, we must be honest about the harm that continues today. Unity cannot be built on silence or avoidance. It can only be built through truth, accountability and a willingness to carry more of the load as allies.
WACOSS calls on government and media to recognise this for what it was – an act of racist violence – and to respond with the seriousness and clarity the community deserves. We will continue to stand in solidarity with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and advocate for responses that centre their safety, their voices and their rights.
This is a moment for all of us to show up again. To choose courage over comfort. To stand beside Aboriginal people not just in grief, but in action. To help build the kind of Australia we can all be proud of – one grounded in truth, justice and genuine unity.