Wentworth final questions: Tim Murray
In the interests of ensuring that our community is properly informed and engaged in the political process The Executive Council of Australian Jewry asked the four candidates currently polling at over 10% of the primary vote (as per the Reachtell poll published on 17 September), to state their positions on matters of special concern to Jewish Australians.
Pauline and Tim Murray with Rabbi Dov Slavin at OBK
TIM MURRAY LABOR
Security funding
We have seen deadly terror attacks overseas in which Jewish communities were specifically targeted. Australian government agencies including the Australian Federal Police and ASIO have assessed that the Jewish community remains particularly vulnerable to an attack in Australia.
In light of this, the government currently provides direct assistance in meeting the security costs for Jewish schools. Recently this assistance was extended to a small number of other Jewish institutions including some synagogues, museums and community centres. However, the vast majority of non-school Jewish institutions which have applied for security funding assistance missed out.
- Do you support increasing the level of security funding assistance from the Federal government to at-risk institutions?
Unfortunately, Australia is not immune from the global rise of antisemitic attacks.
It is deeply distressing that in modern-day Australia we need security guards outside Jewish schools, places of worship and other institutions.
That is why I support increasing security funding for at-risk institutions. Furthermore, I will work with local and State authorities and the Jewish community and its security experts to ensure necessary security measures to protect Jewish institutions deemed to be at risk.
Education
- Are you in favour of increasing, decreasing or maintaining at current levels Commonwealth funding for private schools?
I am in favour of increasing the support to all schools in the community; whether they are independent, Catholic or public. I support the right of all parents to educate their children at the school of their choice. My wife is an early childhood educator at a catholic school in the electorate and we currently send our children to a local Catholic school.
Foreign Policy
Recognising a Palestinian State
- Do you support formally recognising a State of Palestine, other than as an outcome of a negotiated agreement between Israel and the Palestinians? If the answer is other than ‘No’, please specify the circumstances in which your party would recognise such a State.
I do not support the unilateral recognition of a State of Palestine.
I would only support the creation of a Palestinian state as a part of a comprehensive two-state solution that ensured Israel’s right to exist and defend herself within safe and secure borders..
Jerusalem
- Do you believe that Australia should recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and that the Australian embassy should be relocated from Tel Aviv to the Israeli government precinct in Jerusalem?
Jerusalem’s status must be determined as part of an overall two-state solution.
United Nations
The Executive Director of UN Watch, Hillel Neuer has charged that much of the UN “has been subverted by a relentless propaganda war against the Jewish state”.
- Do you agree? If so, what should Australia do to challenge this injustice?
Too often, the United Nations has become a platform for anti-Israel rhetoric, however, we have to remain involved in international forums to counter the extremists. We cannot vacate the space.
Australia has been a consistent supporter of Israel and western democracies since the UN’s inception. Australia has to continue to provide a sensible moderate voice.
As a middle power, we have a duty and responsibility to remain active in international forums.
Iran
America’s annual terrorism report (last published in July 2017) describes Iran as “the foremost state sponsor of terrorism”.
- Do you agree with this assessment?
Iran is the greatest threat in the region – especially towards Israel. Most of the major players in the Arab world have also recognised and acknowledged the Iranian threat.
Former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Foreign Minister Julie Bishop expressed “regret” following the announcement by the US that it would withdraw from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) known as the “Iran deal”.
- Do you support the JCPOA?
Iran is the greatest threat in the region – especially towards Israel. Most of the major players in the Arab world have also recognised and acknowledged the Iranian threat.
The Iran nuclear deal was not perfect, but it was the only deal the international community had. What we need to avoid is a nuclear-armed and muscular Iran. We all fear what would mean for global and regional security – particularly for Israel.
Antisemitism
The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (of which Australia is a Liaison Country) has adopted a working definition of antisemitism which recognises that antisemitism has the capacity to mutate and take on new forms in order to exploit or prosecute the contemporary conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. The working definition recognises that:
“Contemporary examples of antisemitism in public life, the media, schools, the workplace, and in the religious sphere could, taking into account the overall context, include:
- Accusing the Jews as a people, or Israel as a state, of inventing or exaggerating the Holocaust.
- Accusing Jewish citizens of being more loyal to Israel, or to the alleged priorities of Jews worldwide, than to the interests of their own nations.
- Denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination, e.g., by claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavour.
- Applying double standards by requiring of it a behaviour not expected or demanded of any other democratic nation.
- Using the symbols and images associated with classic antisemitism (e.g., claims of Jews killing Jesus or blood libel) to characterize Israel or Israelis.
- Drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis.
- Holding Jews collectively responsible for actions of the state of Israel.”
- Do you accept the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA)-endorsed definition of antisemitism?
I support this definition.
Furthermore, I would sign a declaration stating the international definition for antisemitism.
Religious Freedom
The same-sex marriage survey last year has led to claims that religious freedom is not adequately protected in Australia, and that religious institutions and organisations should have enhanced rights to discriminate in favour of members of their own faith, or to promote their own beliefs.
- Do you agree?
I am comfortable with the marriage equality legislation passed last year and the protections it provides.
