Anthony Albanese announces $8.5m for the Sydney Jewish Museum
The Albanes Government will gift $8.5 million to the cost of rebuilding the Sydney Jewish Museum.
Tanya Plibersek, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Allegra Spender Photo: Henry Benjamin/J-Wire
Accompanied by cabinet minister Tanya Plibersek and the Independent MP for Wentworth, Allegra Spender Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made the announcement within the museum itself.
He said: “Today, I’m announcing on behalf of the government, eight and a half million dollars to redevelop the Sydney Jewish Museum. This is funding that had been agreed previously through our budget process and is included in my economic forecast that will come down next week.
More than 55,000 people visit the museum this year, including around 31,000 high school students. I want those young people who know this history.
Anthony Albanese said the funding will also education about Jewish culture and to get a greater understanding of the contribution. Jewish Australians have made to Australia.
He said: “That disgraceful act of burning of the synagogue sent shivers down the spine of Australians. We’re a tolerant country that is based upon respect for each other. We will work with all the key authorities to make sure that perpetrators on these crimes will brought to justice.”
The prime minister emphasized support for people’s right to demonstrate, but he highlighted the provocative nature of demonstrating outside places of worship. He said: “To demonstrate outside a place of worship is a provocative act, which undermines whatever the cause may be that people are purporting to advance, because it completely alienates people.”
He added: “I love the fact that in this great country of ours, we are enriched by people of different faiths who come here. I was uplifted by attending a bar mitzvah in Perth synagogue. I found it an interesting experience, a generous experience. I was welcomed with the Rabbi providing them with lollies to throw. It’s the range of religions in this country is one of the things that makes Australia great and strength.”
The president of the Sydney Jewish Museum, Greg Shand, told J-Wire: “These funds will enable us to enhance our plans for the future, which include expanding the museum to enable it to host more visitors and more education. And the planned extension of our facilities will provide more reasons to visit. The funds also will help the sustainability of the museum.”
Much more than this needs to be done to get anywhere near rectifying in any way the damage this government has done to both the Australian Jewish communities and the good ties between Australia and Israel.