Albanese launches plan to combat antisemitism
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The news: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has launched his government’s official plan to combat antisemitism following attacks on Jewish people in Melbourne over the weekend.
The context: The Albanese government has been under pressure to do more to combat antisemitism following four attacks in Melbourne, including an arson attack at a Melbourne synagogue last Friday night.
Albanese last year appointed Jillian Segal as Australia's first antisemitism special envoy, along with Aftab Malik as special envoy to combat Islamophobia, following the 7 October 2023 attacks on Israel and the subsequent invasion of Gaza.
Appearing in Sydney on Thursday morning, Segal, Albanese and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke launched a new plan to combat antisemitism.
The government is likely to moved quickly to adopt the recommendations in the plan, which includes a nationally-consistent approach to teaching about the history, harms and modern forms of antisemitism.
Publicly-funded organisations like universities, cultural bodies and broadcasters will be also be expected to uphold consistent standards and demonstrate accountability in combatting antisemitism.
The special envoy will also work with the government to withhold funding from universities, programs or individuals within universities that facilitate, enable or fail to act against antisemitism.
What they said: “There is no place in Australia for antisemitism,” Albanese said.
“The kind of hatred and violence that we have seen on our streets recently is despicable and it won't be tolerated and I want those responsible to face the full force of the law," he said.
"I saw on the ABC the other night a woman who participated in the trashing and violence that occurred at the restaurant in Melbourne, justifying that. There is no justification for that whatsoever.
"And what's more, the idea that somehow the cause of justice for Palestinians is advanced by behaviour like that is not only delusional, it is destructive and it is not consistent with how you are able to put forward your views respectfully in a democracy."
The source: Prime Minister's press conference
