PETITION TARGET: Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC), NSW Fair Trading, The Hon. Steve Kamper MP, Minister for Multiculturalism, Australian National Imams Council (ANIC) and relevant local representatives.

We, worshippers, families and members of the Dubbo Muslim community, call on the ACNC and NSW Fair Trading to independently examine governance concerns involving NSW Central West Muslims Association Incorporated, including the process leading to constitutional changes dated 22 May 2026, the current membership and voting structure, financial oversight and conflict-of-interest processes, and the handling or circulation of identifiable CCTV footage publicly involving worshippers.

We accuse no one of a crime. We ask for documents, evidence and independent review because a mosque supported over many years by members of the wider community deserves transparent and accountable governance.

What Happened?

On 3 July 2026, a community consultation was held following growing concerns about the Association's constitution, membership structure and governance.

Community members attended, seeking answers. The meeting became tense and there are differing accounts concerning aspects of what occurred. This petition does not seek to determine those disputed incidents.

The questions raised concerned:

1. The timing and process of the apparent constitutional changes;
2. control of voting membership;
3. the accountability of the "Administrative Team";
4. community participation;
5. new membership applications criteria;
6. committee vacancies and governance processes;
7. financial oversight;
8. potential or perceived conflicts of interest;
9. governance records; and
10. powers concerning mosque access and ban notices.

A number of community members have since expressed the view that important questions remained unanswered or were not supported by the documents and records requested. We had further questions prepared but were unable to properly raise and complete all of them. Those concerns are now being documented and pursued through appropriate formal and legal channels.

Who Is the Mosque Accountable To?

This is the most important question.

Is Dubbo Mosque operated for the benefit of the wider Muslim community, while being lawfully governed by an incorporated Association, or has effective governance control become concentrated within a limited group with insufficient accountability?

We also seek a clear explanation regarding the body referred to as the:

"Administrative Team."

1. Who appoints this team?
2. Who supervises it?
3. Who reviews its decisions?
4. What powers does it exercise?

Most importantly:

• Who is the Administrative Team accountable to?

We recognise that not every worshipper is legally a voting member of NSWCWMA. Our concern is whether the Association's actual members can effectively hold its governing body to account and whether the broader community served by the charity is being meaningfully heard on decisions affecting its mosque and community functions.

Serious Questions About the Constitutional Changes Dated 22 May 2026

One of our greatest concerns relates to apparent constitutional changes dated 22 May 2026. We respectfully ask NSW Fair Trading to examine whether the process leading to those changes complied with applicable statutory requirements.

The community seeks documentary answers to straightforward questions:

• Was a valid meeting called to consider the constitutional changes?
• Were eligible members properly notified?
• Was the required notice provided?
• Did the notice contain the terms of the proposed special resolution?
• Did it clearly state that a special resolution was being considered?
• Who was eligible to vote?
• How many eligible voting members attended?
• How many votes were cast?
• Was the required voting threshold achieved?
• Do approved minutes exist?
• What records establish who participated and voted?
• What special resolution was submitted in connection with the registration of the constitutional changes?

We are not asking the public to declare the constitution void. If there was a defect in the statutory process, we ask NSW Fair Trading and any other competent authority to determine the legal or regulatory consequences and what corrective action may be available. These are questions of documents, evidence and law. 

Membership Applications and Voting Control

Community members also have serious concerns about membership applications submitted during February 2026. Applicants were informed that membership processing was temporarily on hold. The constitutional changes are dated 22 May 2026. Applicants were then informed on 23 May 2026 that applications were open under a new framework. The timing raises important questions.

We, as community members, ask whether the process had the practical effect of preventing pending applicants from becoming members before changes affecting voting and governance participation were considered.

We seek clarity regarding:

• What rules apply to pending applications? Who authorised the membership hold?
• What documented reason was given for the membership hold, who authorised it, and what committee resolution or other record supports the decision?
• Did the membership hold have the practical effect of preventing pending applicants from obtaining membership before constitutional changes affecting voting and governance participation were considered?
• How existing applications were treated, and
• whether applicants were given a fair and consistent process.
• Why Is Voting Membership So Limited?

Based on the current apparent constitution reviewed by community members:

• voting rights appear to be restricted to Full Members;
• The 8 Founding Members appear to hold Lifetime Full Membership;
• Full Membership appears to be capped at 18 members only, including the 8 Founding Members;
• prospective Full Members appear to require nomination and endorsement from existing Full Members; and
• The constitution appears to impose an exceptionally high threshold for future constitutional reform.

This creates a serious governance question:

• If existing Full Members substantially control admission to future Full Membership, how can the membership base meaningfully broaden and how can members effectively hold the governing body to account over time?

The current documents also appear to establish an Advisory or Support Committee intended to reflect community diversity. However, that body appears to have no governance, managerial or financial authority and cannot bind the Association.

So we ask:

• What meaningful influence does the wider community actually have?

The Mosque and its surrounding land were purchased by the community, with contributed funds, using a community association which welcomed membership from all members of the local community.  It now appears that the constitution of the association proposes to restrict membership of the association to a very small group, which is self-selected.  The community would like to understand how the mosque it purchased has apparently passed outside its control, without any community consultation, by means of an apparent fundamental change in the constitution of the association. The governing body of the association does not appear to be able to explain what has happened.

Ethnic and Regional Membership Classifications

The asserted constitution also appears to contain provisions classifying or allocating Full Membership positions according to ethnic or regional background. This has caused deep concern in a Muslim community made up of people from many countries and cultures. We understand that Australian discrimination law is complex and that legal exemptions may apply to some voluntary or religious bodies.

We ask the relevant authorities to examine:

• how the classifications operate;
• What information is collected to classify people's ethnic or regional background;
• whether the provisions are consistent with applicable law;
• whether they are consistent with the Association's charitable purposes; and
• Whether they create further barriers to accountable membership and governance.

Our mosque should bring Muslims together. Our ethnicity should not become a tool that divides our ability to participate in the future of our community.

Mosque Access and Ban Notices

Recent events have created considerable fear and concern about mosque access and announced or proposed ban notices, given or to be issued by the Association to members of the community, intended to prevent them from coming to the mosque. We strongly believe genuine violence, threats and safety risks should be properly addressed.

However, community members are asking:

• What process exists before a person is excluded from the mosque?
• Is the person told exactly what they are accused of?
• What legal, constitutional or property-management authority is relied upon before restricting a person's access to the mosque?
• Who participated in the decision?
• Was any decision-maker personally involved in the underlying disputed incident? If so, what steps were taken to identify and manage any actual, potential or perceived conflict?
• Was the affected person given written reasons and an opportunity to respond? Is there an independent review or appeal process?
• What safeguards exist to ensure mosque-access decisions are based on documented conduct and genuine safety considerations?

The governing documents reviewed by community members do not appear to clearly identify a transparent notice, response and independent review process.

Where mosque access is restricted following incidents connected with a wider governance dispute, we believe any exclusion decision should be based on documented conduct and genuine safety considerations, made through an appropriately authorised and conflict-managed process. Raising a governance concern should not, by itself, be a reason to lose access to a place of worship. Genuine misconduct should be addressed fairly, proportionately and based on evidence with border community consultation.

Governance Records and Minutes

Documents matter because documents establish what actually happened.

The community seeks clarity regarding:

• committee meeting minutes;
• general meeting minutes;
• membership records;
• records of resolutions;
• relevant meeting and attendance records;
• voting records;
• conflict-of-interest disclosures;
• financial approvals; and
• constitutional change records.

Without appropriate records, how can members or regulators independently establish:

• Who attended?
• Was there a quorum?
• Who was eligible to vote?
• What resolution was actually passed?
• Was an interest disclosed?
• Did an interested person participate in a decision?
• Was the significant expenditure properly authorised?

We respectfully ask the relevant regulators to review whether required governance records are being properly maintained in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

Financial Oversight and Transparency

The Association's signed financial reports reviewed by community members show substantial year-on-year changes in reported expenditure across the financial years examined.

Major reported expense categories include:

• consultancy charges;
• event management expenses;
• repairs and maintenance;
• staff expenses;
• web development; and
• grant expenditure.

We are not saying that increased expenditure automatically means wrongdoing. We are asking for transparency.

The community seeks a clear:

• Grant-by-grant reconciliation.
• Program-by-program reconciliation.
• Major-expense reconciliation.

We also seek clarity about contracts, quotations, approvals and invoices relating to significant expenditure where members or regulators are legally entitled to inspect or obtain them.

Our concern is simple:

Community trust grows when significant financial decisions can be explained through proper records.

Was There Proper Treasurer and Committee Oversight?

Concerns have been raised regarding the extent of the Treasurer's access to information concerning significant financial and governance matters. A former Treasurer has raised concerns regarding the extent of access to key financial information during his tenure. We ask the ACNC to independently verify those concerns against the Association's financial and governance records.

The community asks:

• What financial information and systems were accessible to the Treasurer?

• What role did the Treasurer have in reviewing significant expenditure and grant-related financial matters?
• Who approved major financial commitments?
• Were proper financial controls and segregation of duties in place?
• If an independent review establishes that the Treasurer did not have meaningful access to or involvement in significant aspects of financial oversight:
• Who was exercising appropriate financial oversight on behalf of the Association?

We ask the ACNC to examine these questions independently.

Potential or Perceived Conflicts of Interest

Corporate records reviewed by community members identify a historical directorship, secretaryship and/or shareholding relationship involving the accounting firm and a person whose identity may correspond with an individual identified in Association records. We ask the appropriate authorities to verify the relevant identity and relationship and, if the person was an Association committee member at the relevant time, examine whether any relevant interest was properly disclosed and managed.

We ask the ACNC and appropriate authorities to independently verify:

• Was any relevant interest disclosed?
• Was the disclosure recorded?
• Who approved the firm's engagement?
• Did an interested person participate in the decision?

These are factual questions that should have a documentary paper trail. If everything were properly disclosed and managed, the records should provide reassurance. If not, appropriate action should follow. 

CCTV Footage and Recent Public Statements

Following recent events, identifiable CCTV footage involving worshippers was publicly circulated or published. This has raised questions about privacy, consent, data handling and the Association's own CCTV rules. We ask the appropriate authorities to assess any privacy, surveillance or other legal obligations applicable in the circumstances. We also ask that the complete and uninterrupted CCTV footage relating to disputed incidents be preserved.

The Association has publicly referred to Police reports, ban notices and possible legal action. Community members dispute important aspects of the publicly presented account. We respect NSW Police and do not ask this petition to determine any criminal allegation. Let the complete evidence determine what occurred.

The complete CCTV footage, witness evidence and individual accounts should be assessed by the appropriate authorities.

What We Ask NSW Fair Trading To Investigate

We respectfully ask NSW Fair Trading to examine:

• Whether the process leading to the constitutional changes dated 22 May 2026 complied with applicable special resolution, notice, voting and registration requirements under the Associations Incorporation Act 2009.
• Whether required statutory records are being properly maintained.
• Whether relevant meeting, resolution and reporting processes comply with applicable statutory requirements.
• What regulatory or legal consequences follow if a statutory constitutional process was not properly completed.
• Any further apparent breach of the Associations Incorporation Act 2009 or Associations Incorporation Regulation 2022 identified from the evidence provided.

We recognise that NSW Fair Trading may not determine every internal constitutional or membership dispute, and ask that any matters outside its jurisdiction be identified for the appropriate legal or judicial process.

What We Ask the ACNC To Review

We respectfully ask the ACNC to review:

• whether members can effectively hold the governing body to account;
• whether Responsible Persons are acting collectively and responsibly;
• whether proper financial oversight and internal controls exist;
• whether appropriate financial information and oversight are available to relevant office-bearers;
• whether actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest have been properly disclosed and managed;
• whether governance and financial records are being appropriately maintained;
• whether the current membership and voting structure creates excessive concentration of governance control; and
• whether the Association continues to operate consistently with its charitable purposes and governance obligations.

We ask both regulators to use any lawful information-gathering, compliance or enforcement powers considered appropriate and proportionate to the evidence.

We Also Ask the Minister for Multiculturalism to Consider These Concerns

We also respectfully ask The Hon. Steve Kamper MP, Minister for Multiculturalism, to note the serious concerns being raised by members of a long-standing multicultural and faith community in regional NSW. NSW Central West Muslims Association Incorporated is a long-standing incorporated association connected with a mosque that many community members understand was purchased and supported over many years for the benefit of the wider Muslim community.

Many worshippers and families now feel that their views are not being adequately represented or heard through the current Association structure. The fact that a significant section of the community has recently prayed separately is a serious indication of the level of distress, division and loss of confidence currently being experienced.

We respectfully ask the Minister to note that community members have raised concerns regarding:

• governance and representation;
• membership and voting arrangements;
• the process leading to constitutional changes dated 22 May 2026;
• financial transparency and oversight;
• actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest;
• mosque access and community participation; and
• whether the current governance structure properly reflects the community the Association is intended to serve.

We do not ask the Minister to determine disputed facts, make legal findings or replace the role of the ACNC, NSW Fair Trading, NSW Police, the courts or any other competent authority. However, we respectfully ask the Minister, within his portfolio responsibilities and any relevant government grant or multicultural-community framework, to consider whether it is appropriate for any new discretionary multicultural grants, funding or public support connected with the Association to be reviewed or deferred until the current governance concerns have been independently assessed.

We also ask that any concerns relating to the use of Association funds, grant funds or charity assets be referred to the appropriate regulatory or legal authority for consideration of any lawful protective steps that may be available.

Our request is simple: public confidence, community harmony and proper governance should be restored before further public support is provided. We seek transparency, accountability and a peaceful resolution for the benefit of the whole community.

We Ask the Australian National Imams Council to Support

We also respectfully ask the Australian National Imams Council (ANIC) to note the level of distress, division and loss of confidence currently affecting members of the Dubbo Muslim community. As a recognised Islamic body representing imams, scholars and religious leadership in Australia, we respectfully ask ANIC to support a peaceful and Islamically appropriate pathway towards reconciliation, accountability and unity.

We ask ANIC to consider:

• encouraging sincere dialogue between the Association and affected community members;
• supporting independent Islamic mediation where appropriate;
• reminding all parties that mosque leadership is an amanah and must be exercised with fairness, humility and accountability;
• encouraging proper adab, respect and restraint in public communication;
• supporting the principle that a mosque should remain a place of worship, safety and inclusion for the whole community;
• encouraging any mosque-access decisions to be handled fairly, proportionately and through an appropriate process; and
• helping guide the community towards a peaceful resolution while legal and regulatory matters are addressed through the correct channels.

Our request to ANIC is neither political nor legal. It is a request for Islamic leadership, wisdom and support so that this matter does not cause further harm to the unity of the community. We seek peace with accountability, unity with fairness, and reconciliation through truth and proper process.

We Also Ask Our Local Representatives to Listen

These concerns affect members, worshippers and families across Dubbo and the Central West.

We respectfully ask:

Mr Dugald Saunders MP, Member for Dubbo

The Hon. Stephen Lawrence MLC, Member of the NSW Legislative Council

Councillor Josh Black, Mayor of Dubbo Regional Council

to listen to affected community members and support a peaceful, lawful and evidence-based pathway towards transparency and community confidence.

We do not ask them to prejudge allegations or replace the role of regulators, police, or the courts.

We ask them to help ensure that the genuine concerns of a diverse local community are heard and directed through appropriate channels.

This Is Not About Revenge or division. We want to be absolutely clear. We do not encourage harassment. We do not encourage threats. We do not encourage violence. We do not ask anyone to personally attack a committee member. This is not about ethnicity. This is not about nationality. This is not about taking personal revenge. This is about our mosque, our community and accountability.

Where matters are disputed, let documents and independent evidence establish the facts. If the constitutional, governance and financial processes were properly authorised and documented, an independent review should reassure the whole muslim community.

If serious governance or compliance failures occurred, the community deserves to know and appropriate corrective action should follow.

Our Mosque. Our Community. Our Shared Responsibility.

Our children pray here. Our elderly pray here. Our families gather here. New Muslims come here seeking connection. People experiencing hardship come here seeking support. This mosque matters deeply to our community.

We, the undersigned, have lost confidence in the current Committee's governance and accountability.

Based on the documents and information presently available to the community, serious questions remain about the process leading to the constitutional changes dated 22 May 2026 and the governance arrangements now being relied upon.

These matters should not be resolved through competing public statements or internal assertions of authority. They should be examined through documents, evidence and the applicable law.

We therefore call on the ACNC and NSW Fair Trading to independently investigate the governance of NSWCWMA and the process leading to the constitutional changes dated 22 May 2026, and to take any action lawfully available if non-compliance is identified.

You do not need to be a member of NSWCWMA to support transparency.

You do not need to be Muslim to believe a registered charity should be governed responsibly and accountably.

Please sign this petition if you support:

• Transparency.
• Accountability. Independent investigation.
• Fair and responsible governance.
• Protection of our mosque and its future governance structure.

Please sign and respectfully share this petition.

Our intention is not division. Our intention is clarity, accountability and the protection of our community's future.

The community is asking to be heard.