NSW Labor set to provide $2 million for security funding
A Daley Labor Government says it will contribute $2 million to improve Jewish communal security around 40 NSW Jewish places of worship, schools, aged care and other facilities.
Walt Secord – Deputy Opposition leader in the NSW Legislative Council and deputy chair of the NSW Parliamentary Friends of Israel, Guy Zangari – Shadow Police Minister, Dr Marjorie O’Neill – Labor candidate for Coogee, Lesli Berger – president of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, Vic Alhadeff – chief executive officer of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies
This was announced by NSW Legislative Council Deputy Opposition leader and deputy chair of the NSW Parliamentary Friends of Israel Walt Secord, who was representing Labor leader Michael Daley; Shadow Police Minister Guy Zangari and Labor candidate for Coogee Dr Marjorie O’Neill.
They made the announcement with representatives of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies this week.
It would support an earlier bi-partisan Federal security announcement. In October 2018, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced $2.2 million in security funding – under the national Safer Communities Fund scheme. Federal Labor welcomed the announcement.
NSW Labor has acted in response to the failure by the Berejiklian and Baird governments – over the last three years –to act on representations for assistance by the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies’ Council for Jewish Community Security.
As part of an overall plan, they sought $4 million to upgrade CCTV surveillance at communal buildings –in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, north shore, the inner-west, Parramatta, the St George area and the Hunter.
Jewish institutions have been identified as one of the most at-risk sites in Australia – and much of their security system has not been upgraded in more than 20 years.
Walt Secord said: “Jewish sites face significant security threats so it is mindboggling that the State Government is refusing to hear the community’s concerns. NSW Labor has listened and a Daley Labor Government will provide the necessary funding to protect the Jewish community.”
Guy Zangari added: “We understand that the pleas from the Jewish community have been falling on deaf ears. We also understand the Jewish community has approached the office of the NSW Premier and the Minister for Counter-Terrorism for matching funding, but they have been ignored.”
“This funding is important to ensure that all kids have access to a safe environment and can be safe at school. When I speak to members of the Jewish community, they tell me about their concerns about the need to protect places of worship and children at Jewish schools. The Berejiklian Government have the wrong priorities – they can find $2.2 Billion to demolish and rebuild stadiums, but they cannot find enough funds to help keep our local communities safe.” said Dr Marjorie O’Neill.
Anybody who believes that the corrupt “do nothing” ALP will keep their promises, should also believe in fairies at the bottom of the garden.
Spot on Mr. Phillips. But I shouldn’t complain… when I was being terrorized by Mr Muhammad Fahad Lakhani for over 10 months and ended up at the Federal Police, they kindly sent me a Muslim Federal Police Officer. Obviously I was very angry at the time and couldn’t believe their stupidity but what can you expect. I was told they could do nothing to help me until after this peace loving Muslim man had attacked me, even with all the hard written evidence. Perhaps the schools should teach all children to do Krav Maga. Very resourceful and recommend it to all of our people.
Why what happened?