Dutton/Paterson: Enough is enough
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and Shadow Minister for Home Affairs Senator James Paterson are calling for stronger action in combating antisemitism and have announced new policies to achieve this.
Peter Dutton Photo: Henry Benjamin/J-Wire
In a joint statement released today, they said: “After more than a year of inaction and weakness from the Albanese Government on the growing anti-Semitism and extremism crisis facing Australia, a Dutton Coalition Government will take decisive action to tackle these threats and unite our country.
They state that the ‘predictable outcome of Labor’s failure to heed the warnings of the Australian Jewish community and the Coalition’ and believe stronger leadership and stronger action could have prevented the attack.
Senator James Paterson addresses the Senate
Peter Dutton and Senator Paterson have listed the policy changes that would be implemented should they win next year’s election:
· Create a new, dedicated Anti-Semitism Taskforce led by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and incorporating the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC), the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC), the Australian Border Force (ABF) and state police.
· Issue a new Ministerial Direction to the AFP to prioritise addressing anti-Semitism, including any outstanding complaints and unsolved crimes against the Jewish community since 7 October 2023 including doxxing, public display of terrorist symbols, incitement, harassment, and other offences. This would include reevaluation of any decisions to not proceed with charges for these offences.
· Direct the Anti-Semitism Taskforce to refer any visa holders involved in acts of anti-Semitism for immediate cancellation and deportation.
· Amend the section 501 character provisions of the Migration Act to ensure this anti-Semitic conduct is captured by the law, and applies retrospectively for all acts of hatred towards the Jewish community since the 7 October 2023 terrorist attacks against Israel.
· Deliver the $32.5 million security funding package requested by the Executive Council of Australian Jewry without any strings attached, including funding armed guards at schools and synagogues – unlike the Albanese Government who have restricted funding to unarmed guards only.
They said: For too long, the rise of vile anti-Semitism in our country has been allowed to fester, and, if such behaviour continues to be tolerated, it will only get worse. We need to say enough is enough.”
Liberal candidate for Wentworth Ro Knox told J-Wire: “Antisemitism is un-Australian. Only Liberals have a plan to keep our whole community safe. We need to show strong leadership. We need to be prosecuting these crimes – talk is no longer enough in the face of these threats to our social cohesion.”
