Nations such as Canada, the United Kingdom, and the European Union have successfully implemented anti-racism initiatives. Common aims of such initiatives include equality, legal protections from racism, and equal participation in public life. Most recently in Canada, commitment to an anti-racism strategy has been supported with meaningful funding to advance its implementation.9 Many organisations, community members, and government agencies that participated in the Commission’s initial scoping phase for a national anti-racism framework agreed on the need for a coordinated, strategic approach to addressing racism in Australia, which would support action to enforce Australia’s international law obligations and commitments and connect existing domestic policy together into a cohesive response to, and protection from, racism. The Initial concept and scoping process In March 2021, the Commission called for a national anti-racism framework and released a Concept Paper outlining guiding principles, outcomes, and strategies. The Concept Paper set out 10 key reasons why a national anti-racism framework is needed: 1. We lack a clear articulation of what government has committed to doing and is doing to address racism at the national level 2. There is a need to ensure that measures to address racism are complemented by measures to build social cohesion 3. Existing anti-racism and racial equality measures that are in place are not acknowledged 4. There is a need for comprehensive, national data to inform, guide and deliver effective anti-racism and racial equality initiatives 5. There is growing community awareness and concern about racism in Australia 6. It is in the national interest to counter racism and achieve racial equality 7. There is a need for greater community understanding of the different dimensions of racism and racial inequality in Australia 8. There is growing community momentum to do more to tackle racism and achieve racial equality 9. The Australian Government has already committed to taking action to address racism, especially as experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, but further action is required, and we need different approaches to achieve these commitments. There are potentially significant economic consequences for Australia from not tackling racism and racial inequality. A number of principles guide the development of a national anti-racism framework. National Anti-Racism Framework Scoping Report 2022 | 22