What was claimed
The brand new anti-Islamophobia envoy can prosecute anybody who insults Islam on social media.
Our verdict
False. The function doesn’t have the authorized energy to provoke felony proceedings.
The brand new anti-Islamophobia envoy can prosecute Australians who insult Islam on-line, social media customers declare. That is false. The function is advisory and doesn’t have the ability to pursue felony proceedings in opposition to individuals.
The Australian authorities introduced on September 30 that it had appointed Aftab Malik within the new function of particular envoy to fight Islamophobia, almost three months after asserting an envoy for combating antisemitism.
Some incorrect claims have unfold on social media in regards to the nature of the brand new function and its powers.
“Aftab Malik has been appointed by Albanese to police our speech and prosecute anybody who dares say a damaging phrase about Islam,” the picture in a single Fb put up mentioned.
“He’s on half 1,000,000 per yr. He’ll troll social media and produce felony prosecution to anybody who dares insult his prophet.”
AAP FactCheck discovered what seems to be the unique put up on X, previously Twitter, from September 30, which has greater than 2,500 likes and 80,000 views.
The function incorporates no authorized powers to allow Malik to prosecute individuals or convey prosecutions in a court docket of regulation. He merely has the identical powers as some other Australian to report felony offences.
Professor Luke McNamara, from the UNSW School of Regulation and Justice, instructed AAP FactCheck the declare is fake.
“The Islamophobia envoy (identical to the antisemitism envoy) has no energy to prosecute or start authorized proceedings of any type,” he mentioned.
Professor Karima Laachir, director of the ANU Centre for Arab and Islamic Research, instructed AAP FactCheck the function is a symbolic one.
“There are already present legal guidelines and rules that prohibit hate speech in any type, and it contains discrimination and racism in opposition to Muslims,” she mentioned.
“It’s extra like an advisory, symbolic function that the goal is to work with grassroots communities in Australia and see how we will collectively fight the rise of Islamophobia by way of varied means and strategies.”
Laachir added that the envoy will possible work with the antisemitism envoy to deal with points arising from the battle within the Center East.
The Division of Dwelling Affairs additionally confirmed to AAP FactCheck that the particular envoy is an advisory function and Malik doesn’t have a regulation enforcement mandate to pursue felony prosecutions.
“Mr Malik will advise the prime minister and the minister for dwelling Affairs, immigration and multicultural affairs, and cyber safety, and help the federal government to fight Islamophobia,” a division spokesperson mentioned.
The spokesperson added that Malik will accomplish that “by taking a look at and addressing drivers of the behaviour throughout on-line and social media, conventional media, and inside training, arts, tradition and business sectors”.
The posts additionally declare Malik will likely be paid $500,000 a yr.
When requested by AAP FactCheck whether or not this was appropriate, the division was not ready to offer a particular determine, however the spokesperson mentioned the pay is commensurate with their abilities and expertise and in keeping with the 2024 remuneration tribunal willpower.
The decision
False. The declare is inaccurate.