Congratulations for Anthony Albanese and Labor
The Executive Council of Australian Jewry has congratulated the new Labor government but pointed out there have been differences of opinion between the Jewish peak body and the Labor Party.
Anthony Albanese
In a statement issued today, the ECAJ said: “We congratulate Anthony Albanese and the ALP on being elected to government, and welcome his commitment to bring Australians together. The ECAJ looks forward to working with the new government. Whilst we may not always agree with each other, we anticipate that the relationship will always be based on mutual respect.
It looks likely that the Jewish community has lost a number of long-standing friends in the parliament, such as Josh Frydenberg and Dave Sharma, all of them people of great talent, potential future leaders who are moderate in outlook and in tune with the times. Hopefully, their talents will not be lost to us for long, and they will be able to find a pathway back into the parliament.
We congratulate all of the candidates who succeeded in being elected for the first time. We will reach out to each of them with whom we have not already established a relationship and look forward to working with them to ensure that they understand and are sensitive to the concerns of the Jewish community.
The Zionist Federation of Australia President Jeremy Leibler said: “We congratulate Labor on its victory. Labor has always been a great friend of the Australian Jewish community and an integral part of the bipartisan consensus on Israel. Mr Albanese is committed to the Australia-Israel relationship and to a negotiated, peaceful and democratic two-state outcome to the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. These are priorities shared by the Australian Jewish community, and we look forward to working closely with Mr Albanese and his government.”
Mr Leibler continued, “We also acknowledge the deep friendship shown by the outgoing Morrison Government. Mr Morrison and his cabinet were committed to a strong Australia-Israel relationship, and were insistent that Israel be treated fairly.”
He added: “We have seen dear friends of the Australian Jewish community and Israel lose their seats in this election. Their friendship to our community is deeply appreciated and we thank them for their service to the country, and wish them the very best.”
The Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC) wished the new Albanese Government every success in leading our country in its next challenging chapter.
AIJAC thanks Scott Morrison and the outgoing Coalition Government for their achievements in steering Australia through the pandemic, in enhancing our economic welfare and national security and for their unswerving friendship to the Jewish community and support for Israel.
AIJAC looks forward to working with Mr. Albanese and his government in the interests of Australia and our Jewish community and in further strengthening Australia’s strong relationships with Israel.
ABC TV report today, 31 May 22, that Macnamara is more likely to be won by the ALP. If local constituents, and I am one of them, delivered the final electorate to the new government the PM owes us big time on spending and resources that are needed here. I am a Macnamara (formally Melbourne Ports) voting resident since 1980.
One could argue whether or not Josh Frydenberg and Dave Sharma are moderate in outlook (I think they are, but there are certainly those who present a compelling case that they are not).
But to say “they are in tune with the times”….ummmm….no. That’s why they lost their seats….because their opponents were the ones in tune with the times.
A number of supporters of Israel have been voted out in the recent Commonwealth election. One wonders has the Canberra based “Parliamentary Friends of Israel” got any members left?
The journalist, Sharri Markson,has presented a compendium of Mr Albanese’s parliamentary utterances about Israel over a lengthy period.
They might be shocked to the core if they bother to listen to what the Honourable Gentleman has declared .