Promoting the rights of First Nations peoples and communities will foster a more equitable and just society for all. In the words of Professor Megan Davis ‘when we look around the world at other comparative Indigenous populations, recognition in the legal structures and frameworks of the state has a flow on effect that benefits not just Aboriginal peoples, but the broader population as well’.11 The Commission also received feedback that the framework needs a definition of racism that reflects a nuanced and intersectional understanding of racism, is community-centric, and that acknowledges First Nations peoples’ experiences. Participants also called for enhanced visibility and responses at the intersection of different forms of discrimination. Participants stressed that understanding racism only through the category of race does not address its breadth and complexity. The Commission identified three consistent cross-cutting themes across the feedback from all project participants. These were the need for data, education and awareness raising, and cultural safety. Three sector-specific themes were also identified. These related to the role of media, discrimination within the justice system, and the need for enhanced access to legal protections. Next steps The findings from this initial scoping process for a national anti-racism framework provide the basis for further actions to guide its continued development. The Commission intends to continue to facilitate the further development of a framework via a human-rights approach, with cultural safety and accessibility as key priorities. Ultimately, a strong framework will be one that reflects a coordinated, shared vision to meaningfully tackle racism, promote racial equality, ensure access to rights, and foster a cohesive sense of belonging for all Australians. National Anti-Racism Framework Scoping Report 2022 | 25

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