Anti-Muslim Rhetoric Has No Place in the Victorian Election: NCAM Calls on All Parties to Vet Candidates

Media Release – 4 November 2026

The National Council of Australian Muslims (NCAM) welcomes the resignation of Matthew Collins as a candidate for the seat of Melbourne at the Victorian state election, after the ABC reported on 1 November that past social media posts by him ranged from highly sexualised remarks to anti-Muslim rhetoric. Mr Collins has apologised for the comments, and his party has said it does not condone them.

NCAM also welcomes the swift condemnation of the posts from leaders across the political spectrum, including Labor, the Liberals and the Greens.

“Muslim Victorians are neighbours, workers and voters, not a campaign target,” NCAM Director Sajida Salman said. “We welcome the swift condemnation from across the political spectrum, and we ask every party and candidate to commit, before nominations close, to a campaign that debates ideas without demonising communities.”

Candidate nominations for the 28 November election close at midday on Monday 9 November. NCAM calls on every registered party and every independent to vet their candidates thoroughly before that deadline, and to commit publicly to a campaign free of anti-Muslim, antisemitic and racist rhetoric.

Election campaigns test a community’s cohesion. Words spoken on the campaign trail and shared online do not stay there. They shape how Muslim Victorians, including women who wear the hijab and children at school, are treated on the street, at work and online.

NCAM does not support or oppose any party or candidate. Our only ask is that every campaign competes on ideas and policies, and that no community is treated as a target for votes.

“Victoria is home to one of Australia’s largest and most diverse Muslim communities,” Ms Salman said. “Every Victorian should be able to follow this campaign confident that they will be respected, whoever they vote for.”

For media inquiries, please contact: media@ncam.au

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National Council of Australian Muslims (NCAM) acknowledges all First Peoples as the Traditional Custodians throughout the land across Australia, and pay our respects to Elders past and present. We recognise and respect the historical and traditional connection Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples have to the land, water, culture and community. We appreciate the importance of the world’s oldest living culture, and support the union of a reconciled Australia. NCAM is committed to ensuring inclusion, equity and equality.