NSW Premier Chris Minns has expressed deep concern following reports of an alleged racially motivated assault on an Indian-Australian community leader at Westfield Parramatta. The Premier said he was troubled by the incident and reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to ensuring that people of all backgrounds feel safe and respected.
“No person in New South Wales should be targeted or intimidated because of their background or identity,” Premier Minns said. He extended support to the victim and his family and urged anyone with information to assist police. “Racism has no place in our state,” he added, welcoming the NSW Police investigation into the matter.
Arrest Made; Accused Refused Bail
NSW Police have arrested Mikayla Smith in relation to the alleged attack. Smith has been charged with common assault and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
According to The Daily Telegraph, Smith appeared before Parramatta Bail Court via video link, where she was refused bail. The court ordered that she be transferred to a mental health facility for assessment under Section 19B. Additional unrelated matters previously listed at Bankstown Court – including a charge of contravening a domestic AVO and another assault matter – have now been joined to her Parramatta case.
Local MPs Voice Strong Condemnation
Parramatta MP Donna Davis said she was “extremely concerned” by both the assault and the allegations of racist motivation.
“No one in New South Wales should ever be targeted because of their background. Racism has no place in Parramatta,” she said. Davis encouraged community members to report any hate-related behaviour to Crime Stoppers and said she would continue standing with the community to challenge such incidents.
Strathfield MP Jason Yat-sen Li also expressed deep concern, noting that the claim the victim was targeted because of his ethnicity had caused distress in a region renowned for its multicultural character.
“Such attacks harm not only the individual but the broader community,” Yat-sen Li said. He expressed solidarity with the victim and his family, welcomed the police investigation, and urged anyone with information to come forward. He also called on civic, educational and faith-based organisations to unite against hatred, emphasising that “safety, respect and belonging must be upheld for everyone in New South Wales.”
Community Group Calls for Stronger Action
The Strathfield Australians of Indian Sub-continental Heritage (SAISH) also voiced strong concern over the alleged assault. The organisation called on state and federal leaders to strengthen legislative measures to prevent racial violence and ensure greater community protection.
SAISH said all Australians deserve to live, work and travel without fear, stressing that stronger leadership from both levels of government is vital to building an equitable, non-discriminatory and socially harmonious society.
