The Coalition has welcomed the Special Envoy’s plan to combat antisemitism but expressed its deep disappointment at the Government’s lack of leadership on what has been a significant national issue since October 2023.
We note that when the Prime Minister was asked directly if he would commit to implementing the plan in full he refused to do so. Despite being willing to launch the plan today it is not clear which measures the Albanese Government supports and which it does not. Australians deserve some clarity on this.
Leader of the Opposition Sussan Ley said the report confirms what Jewish Australians have been telling us for months, that antisemitism has surged to crisis levels while the Prime Minister has refused to show national leadership.
“The Coalition welcomes the work of the Special Envoy, but it should not fall to one individual to shoulder this fight against hate. The Government must show leadership. The Prime Minister must act,” the Leader of the Opposition said.
“We stand shoulder to shoulder with the Jewish community and re-affirm our commitment to the Executive Council of Australian Jewry’s 15-point action plan. That’s the benchmark against which the Prime Minister should be judged.
“This report shows antisemitism is not just a problem of security or law enforcement. It’s a cultural and societal cancer that needs attention through our schools, universities, media, and even the arts.”
The report is described as a ‘policy-oriented framework for government and the Australian community’, and details 49 key actions necessary to combat antisemitism. However, it appears that only three of those actions would be led by the government: the removal of deductible gift recipient status from charities promoting antisemitism, changes to funding agreements for festivals and cultural institutions, and the potential establishment of judicial inquiry.
Shadow Attorney-General Julian Leeser said the report exposes a lack of commitment from the Government.
“This is a work plan for the Special Envoy not a commitment by the Albanese Government,” Mr Lesser said.
“Fighting the tidal wave of antisemitism cannot be left to the Envoy alone, it needs the Prime Minister’s commitment, not just to hear the Envoy’s advocacy, but to action her policies.
“The Jewish community is telling us that Australia now leads the world in fire-bombings and other violent attacks on Jews. In such an environment we want to see the prime minister leading the fight on antisemitism and being accountable for the outcome. It’s time his actions matched his words.”
Shadow Minister for Home Affairs Andrew Hastie said the plan made clear that there is an antisemitism crisis gripping Australia which demands a whole-of-government response.
“The Jewish community is under siege, and the time for half-measures is over. This demands the full weight of the Commonwealth’s resolve, starting with the Prime Minister”, Mr Hastie said.
“Attacks on our Jewish community strike at the very heart of our democracy. If we want to remain a safe, united, and free country, we need a coordinated national response that defends Australian values in every sphere of our society”.
Shadow Minister for Education Senator Jonno Duniam said that it should not take a report for the Prime Minister to have offered serious action to combat antisemitism at our universities.
“Australian universities have been a breeding ground for antisemitism and the Federal Government’s inaction to seriously address this crisis is a stain on our society. Their delayed action has left many students on our campuses feeling unsafe. It should not have gotten to this point, but the Coalition will work constructively in the interests of protecting all Australians, including Jewish Australians.”
Shadow Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs Senator Paul Scarr said every community has a right to live in Australia in peace, safety and harmony – free from fear and vilification.
“It goes to the very heart of what it means to be Australian. Now is the time for action. This is not just a political imperative. It is a moral obligation. This is about protecting our Australian way of life. Protecting what it means to be Australian”
The report highlights the stark divide between those over 35 and those under 35 in their attitudes to antisemitism, and the role of online platforms in driving antisemitic attitudes.