Top level group planning combatting antisemitism
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has held a meeting with the acting premier of New South Wales, the premier of Victoria and the Australian Federal Police Commissioner to address the rising incidents of antisemitism in Australia.
Anthony Albanese
The prime minister, together with Premier Jacinta Allan of Victoria, Acting Premier Penny Sharpe of New South Wales and AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw, agreed to continue working relentlessly together to stop these incidents and to ensure that those responsible are found and face the full force of the law
This has involved information sharing between law enforcement agencies, updating legislation and jointly supporting affected communities.
The Prime Minister’s Office released a statement in which the Prime Minister emphasised to both the Premier of Victoria and Acting Premier of New South Wales that ‘the Commonwealth stands ready to assist with whatever they require’.
The Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism, Jillian Segal, has supported this intergovernmental discussion.
Once again, the statement reiterated that ‘the Albanese Government unequivocally condemns antisemitism’.
It listed the measures been taken ‘to stamp out the scourge of antisemitism’.
This includes:
- Setting up AFP Special Operation Avalite to crack down on antisemitism, threats, violence and hatred towards the Australian Jewish Community.
- Since Operation Avalite was established the AFP has received 124 reports, with 102 under investigation.
- Introducing a landmark ban on the Nazi salute and hate symbols which came into effect in January 2024.
- Appointing Jillian Segal AO as Australia’s first Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism.
- Criminalising doxxing – the malicious release of personal information.
- Legislating to appoint Australia’s first National Student Ombudsman.
- Committing $25 million for improved safety and security at Jewish sites across the country, including schools, in the weeks following the 7 October terrorist.
- Funding an additional $32.5 million for security measures for schools and synagogues.
- $250,000 towards the replacement and restoration of Torah Scrolls housed in the Adass Israel Synagogue.
- Introducing legislation to Parliament to criminalise hate speech, including the urging or threatening of force or violence against individuals or groups because of who they are or what they believe.
- Referred antisemitism in Australian universities to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights for inquiry.
