The NSW Faith Affairs Council, formed in November 2022, is intended to serve as a consultative body providing advice on government policy impacts on faith communities, emerging trends, and fostering community harmony, security, and well-being
Australia’s NSW Parliament has recently raised concerns about the nomination of the Hindu Council of Australia to the newly formed NSW Faith Affairs Council. Abigail Boyd, a Member of the Legislative Council from the NSW Greens, has submitted a series of ‘questions on notice’ directed at the NSW Treasurer, who represents various portfolios, including Small Business, Lands and Property, Multiculturalism, and Sport.
Boyd’s inquiries delve into potential issues regarding the Hindu Council of Australia, asking whether the Treasurer is aware of any evidence indicating the Council’s involvement in religious vilification, caste discrimination, and social discord. These questions were raised in response to a nomination that designates Surinder Jain from the Hindu Council as the representative for the Hindu faith, also nominated as the co-chair of the council.
The NSW Faith Affairs Council, formed in November 2022, is intended to serve as a consultative body providing advice on government policy impacts on faith communities, emerging trends, and fostering community harmony, security, and well-being. The council includes representatives from various faith communities, such as Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, Jewish, and Christian denominations.
Boyd suggests that such inaction might embolden the Council to persist in vilifying Sikh and Muslim communities, perpetuating caste discrimination, and contributing to targeted hate crimes
Boyd’s questions highlight concerns raised by the Periyar Ambedkar Thoughts Circle of Australia (PATCA), which documented alleged incidents of religious vilification, caste discrimination, and social discord by the Hindu Council of Australia. The questions directly ask whether the reported activities of the Council contradict the essential criteria for nomination to the NSW Faith Council, as outlined on the government website, and violate the Multicultural Principles of the Multicultural NSW Act 2000.
Furthermore, Boyd inquires about the reasons behind nominating the Hindu Council over other Hindu organizations for the NSW Faith Council and whether the Minister is aware of community leaders’ concerns. These concerns revolve around the potential repercussions if no action is taken to address the alleged vilification and discriminatory activities of the Hindu Council. Boyd suggests that such inaction might embolden the Council to persist in vilifying Sikh and Muslim communities, perpetuating caste discrimination, and contributing to targeted hate crimes.
The questions were formally submitted on December 13, 2023, just before the state parliament closed for the summer break. The Minister is expected to provide answers to these inquiries by January 17, 2024. The outcome of these inquiries may have implications for the representation of the Hindu faith on the NSW Faith Affairs Council and the broader dynamics of interfaith cooperation within the state.
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