Coalition matches ALP’s $18 million Jewish Arts Quarter pledge
The Coalition has followed the Albanese government in committing $18 million toward the development of a landmark Jewish Arts Quarter in Elsternwick, Melbourne, offering bipartisan support for a project seen as both culturally significant and politically unifying.
Just two days after Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles and Macnamara MP Josh Burns announced Labor’s funding pledge, the Coalition confirmed it would commit the same amount if elected, ensuring the future of the precinct regardless of the federal election outcome.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said the commitment reflected the Coalition’s “unwavering support” for Australia’s Jewish community at a time of increased tension.
“This investment is about recognising the deep cultural contributions of Jewish Australians and standing with them in the face of rising antisemitism,” Dutton stated. “The Jewish Arts Quarter will be a source of pride for all Australians—a place to educate, reflect and celebrate.”
Melbourne Jewish Arts Quarter
Shadow Arts Minister Claire Chandler formally announced the pledge on Wednesday, highlighting the project as a unifying national priority. “Cultural institutions like these do more than preserve history—they strengthen our communities,” she said.
Liberal candidate for Macnamara Benson Saulo directly addressed the urgency behind the commitment, citing the disturbing spike in antisemitism in recent months.
“Since October 7, no part of Australian Jewish life has been untouched by the rise in antisemitism, particularly among artists, creatives, and small businesses,” Saulo said. “This is about more than bricks and mortar. It’s about standing up for values.”
Liberal candidate for Goldstein Tim Wilson stated the precinct would benefit Jewish residents in his own electorate and contribute to Melbourne’s multicultural identity.
The planned precinct will serve as a cultural and educational hub, bringing together the Jewish Museum of Australia, the Melbourne Holocaust Museum, the Kadimah Jewish Cultural Centre and National Library, and Sholem Aleichem College. The ALP has drawn parallels between the new precinct and Melbourne’s existing ethnic-cultural corridors like Lygon Street (Italian) and Lonsdale Street (Greek).
