When this photo was posted online the racist commentary began

A photo shared by the Tebrakunna Rangers on Facebook sparked a wave of racist remarks online, prompting the group to remove comments from the post. The image, taken during a site visit in the Central Highlands, depicted the rangers collaborating with members of Aboriginal Heritage Tasmania. Within minutes of being posted, the social media platform became flooded with offensive and racially charged messages. Nick Cameron, chairman of the Tasmanian Regional Aboriginal Communities Alliance, described the nature of the abuse. He noted that users targeted the rangers based on their race, questioning the proportion of Aboriginal heritage they possessed. Some comments suggested that all indigenous Tasmanians had perished and accused the individuals in the photo of falsely claiming Aboriginal identity. The harassment was so intense that the Tebrakunna Rangers were compelled to disable comments on the post. Cameron, a member of the Pairrebeene/Trawlwoolway nation, emphasized that the group consists largely of young Aboriginal men and women who represent the future of the community. He expressed concern that such incidents reflect a broader trend of exploitation, where young Aboriginal individuals are increasingly used as pawns in political and commercial agendas. His remarks were delivered during a federal parliamentary inquiry focused on addressing racism, hate speech, and violence against First Nations peoples. The inquiry, which has conducted hearings nationwide, arrived in Hobart to engage with Aboriginal organizations and elders in Lutruwita/Tasmania. Cameron highlighted a noticeable increase in racist behavior since the Voice referendum, citing tragic examples such as the recent incident in Sydney where hate and racism led to serious consequences. He stressed that verbal abuse, even if not involving physical harm, can still inflict deep emotional wounds. Peter Rowe, chairman of the First Peoples Tasmania Aboriginal Corporation, recounted a similar experience. A photograph featuring him and other Aboriginal elders at the Mannalargenna Day festival was accompanied by a comment from an anonymous user accusing him of pretending to be Aboriginal. The message labeled him as a “white fraud” and implied that many others attending the event were similarly insincere in their claims of Aboriginal identity. Rowe, also a Trawlwoolway man, pointed out that some of the racism faced by Aboriginal people in Tasmania originates from within the community itself. He argued that certain public figures and organizations have fostered an environment where Aboriginal individuals are publicly discredited as “fake Aboriginals” or “whities.” These labels, he explained, are not merely personal disputes but instances of racialized gatekeeping that validate abuse and lead others to doubt the authenticity of Aboriginal identities that don’t conform to rigid stereotypes. Rowe was specifically asked by the committee to name the organizations responsible for such practices. He identified the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre (TAC) as the primary entity contributing to this form of internal discrimination. He noted that while the TAC plays a vital role, its actions have created divisions that hinder progress toward achieving the Closing the Gap targets in Tasmania. He expressed disappointment that despite his recognized Aboriginal heritage, he was barred from using the TAC’s health services in Hobart, unlike other Aboriginal health services across the country. The Joint Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs convened a hearing in Hobart on Wednesday, bringing together representatives from various Aboriginal groups and elders. The discussions underscored the ongoing challenges faced by Indigenous Australians in dealing with systemic racism and internal divisions. As the inquiry continues, it aims to uncover deeper issues and propose solutions to protect the rights and dignity of First Nations peoples.