Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett has used a Ramadan Iftar gathering at the NSW Parliament to call for stronger trust between law enforcement and Australia’s diverse communities, while acknowledging the anxiety many people feel over conflicts unfolding around the world.
In her address at the 17th NSW Parliamentary Friendship and Dialogue Iftar Dinner hosted by the Affinity Intercultural Foundation, Commissioner Barrett said the holy month of Ramadan offered an important moment for people of different faiths and backgrounds to connect and reflect.
She told guests that sharing food – a central tradition in many cultures – creates space for honest conversations and mutual understanding.
“These are important times for different faiths and ethnicities to connect. And during this holy month of Ramadan, tonight’s Iftar is a welcome time to come together and have meaningful conversations.”
Commissioner Barrett said gatherings such as Iftar provide an opportunity to “shut out the noise of the outside world” and strengthen social bonds during a time when global events are causing distress within communities.
She acknowledged that many attendees had been affected by ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, Europe and Africa, expressing condolences to those who had lost family members or loved ones.
“I want to pass on my sincere condolences to all of you who have lost loved ones and family – and continue to lose loved ones and family.”
Commissioner Barrett said the AFP’s community liaison teams were hearing concerns from diaspora communities who were worried about the impact of overseas conflicts and rising polarisation.
The commissioner said events bringing together multiple faiths were particularly significant in the current climate because they demonstrated solidarity and mutual support across communities.
Commissioner Barrett also praised Ahmed Al Ahmed, a guest of honour at the dinner, for what she described as an act of courage on December 14 in which he helped protect people during a violent incident. She said his actions illustrated a deeply human instinct to help others in moments of danger.
“Your being here tonight is a reminder that you put your own life second in the most dangerous of circumstances to help people you had never met. You are a reminder that it is such a human trait to instinctively help when people are in dire need.”
During her address, Commissioner Barrett acknowledged that police forces can make mistakes when dealing with complex cultural or religious issues but said the AFP was investing in training and education to improve understanding and reduce the risk of missteps. Building stronger relationships with communities was essential, she said, so that concerns could be raised openly and addressed.
Commissioner Barrett also emphasised the importance of diversity within policing, saying she wanted the AFP to better reflect the communities it serves. Greater representation, she said, would strengthen trust and improve the agency’s ability to keep Australians safe.
“I understand if some of you are not ready to work with me or my agency just yet. That’s ok, but when you are, there will be an open door to the AFP.”
She outlined a shift in the AFP’s mission to focus on defending Australia and its future from both domestic and global security threats, noting that many crimes targeting Australians now originate overseas. These include cyber fraud, scams targeting elderly people, online exploitation of children, and the trafficking of illicit drugs into the country.
Commissioner Barrett also warned that some foreign state actors were attempting to intimidate diaspora communities in Australia for political purposes, describing the global security environment as increasingly complex and interconnected.
To respond to those challenges, she said the AFP had established five new priorities: strengthening its workforce, investing in technology, bolstering domestic and regional security, expanding global operations, and protecting vulnerable communities.
Commissioner Barrett also revealed plans to establish a consultative body bringing together community leaders, young people and non-government organisations to help the AFP better understand community concerns and respond more effectively to emerging threats.
“The AFP may make honest mistakes when understanding or interacting with sensitive and complicated issues within the many different faith and ethnicities in our communities. But as AFP Commissioner, I want you to know that we are investing in better training and education to ensure we can minimise this as much as possible. We will take responsibility for the mistakes we make and make sure we learn from them.”
While the AFP has around 8,000 staff operating across Australia and in more than 30 countries, Commissioner Barrett said its effectiveness depended heavily on partnerships and public trust.
She encouraged community members to continue engaging with police, saying the AFP’s door remained open even for those not yet ready to work closely with the agency.
“We must continue to keep working on and proving this at home too. And that is one of the reasons I am here tonight.”
Commissioner Barrett concluded by urging ongoing dialogue beyond the evening’s event, telling attendees that maintaining social harmony requires communities and institutions to listen to one another and work together to protect the vulnerable.
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