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53% of us think we are becoming more divided. It is a big number, and it echoes the messages I hear when I visit social service organisations and communities across NSW. It is in our news headline, in our streets and on our social media. It grows in both loud and quiet ways—we are at a crossroads. Each of us has a role to play… in our family, our community, and our workplace to show that there is another way. It is the time for action that goes beyond rhetoric and brings people together, rather than driving them apart. Collectively, we must step away from language and tactics that fuel division, fear, and violence.
Social harmony is not compliance and it is not built on intimidation; it thrives on empathy, understanding, and the shared effort to disagree without dehumanising one another.
We cannot legislate our way to public trust. While laws set boundaries, they can also erase our meaningful connections. We can forge a stronger society through listening, building relationships, and learning from one another. That work is crucial today, as we face rising polarisation and a shrinking space for civil disagreement. Racism, hatred, and fear of the ‘other’ are not isolated issues- they reflect our fractured communities.
When divisions widen, we all suffer.
The positive news is that we are not powerless; we have the choice to engage in the important and long-term work of community building, which will repair our social fabric and stop divisions from deepening further.
For the government, leadership means reaching out to communities that feel harmed and offering real opportunities for listening, repair, and accountability. The leadership we need must be rooted in trust and understanding, not division.
Amidst these challenges, there is cause for hope. New South Wales has taken a step closer to establishing a Human Rights Act. The NSW parliament has unanimously supported the creation of a Community Services Committee Inquiry into the Human Rights Bill 2025. This comes after years of advocacy by the Human Rights Act for NSW Alliance – a coalition of over 120 legal and community organisations including NCOSS, religious groups, and trade unions.
A Human Rights Act would ensure that fundamental rights are protected, compelling the government to check its legislation against these rights. It would also give residents the means to seek justice if their rights are violated. This is a step toward a more equitable, cohesive future where human rights are not a policy afterthought, but a legal guarantee.
This week, we celebrated the UN’s International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, with the message that ‘everyone belongs.’ It’s a reminder that our diversity is our strength, and that fostering respect and inclusion in our schools, workplaces, and communities is essential to building a truly cohesive and fair society.
This is the moment to act. Let’s push for a Human Rights Act and commit to making this vision a reality.