Opposition Leader Commits to 15-Point Anti-Semitism Plan After Synagogue Arson Attack
Sussan Ley visits targeted Melbourne synagogue, calls for action beyond government's 'words' as hate incidents escalate
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has committed "wholeheartedly" to implementing the Executive Council of Australian Jewry's 15-point plan to combat anti-Semitism during a visit to a Melbourne synagogue targeted in an arson attack on Friday.
Speaking outside the Hebrew congregation, Ley described hearing "incredibly distressing" stories from community members about the rising tide of anti-Semitism since October 7, 2023, including young children attending childcare centers behind screens and locked gates.
"A four-year-old doing a fist pump with someone who is guarding that child and her classroom with a weapon," Ley said. "It is not the Australia that we support, live in and want to belong to. It is not the tolerant, multicultural country that we hold dear."
The opposition leader was accompanied by Senator James Patterson, Shadow Attorney General Julian Leeser and Shadow Minister Paul Scarr, marking a significant political response to escalating anti-Semitic incidents across Australia.
"What is so clear is that hate can never be normalised. It can never be excused. It can never be explained away," Ley declared. "We stand with the Jewish community in Australia today and every day."
Government Response Questioned
Ley challenged Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's response to protecting Jewish Australians, arguing that current government efforts have fallen short of community needs.
"I want to know what Anthony Albanese is doing to protect Jewish Australians. I want to know what the government plans because, as we heard today, words are not enough," she said.
The opposition leader described the visit as more than symbolic, emphasizing ongoing commitment rather than temporary political gestures.
"It's very important with these events that we don't just come today and say the things that we would be expected to say and then walk away. We will never do that. We never have done that," Ley said.
She called for Prime Minister Albanese to convene national cabinet meetings to address what she described as failures across different state jurisdictions in law enforcement and legal frameworks.
Legislative Gaps Highlighted
Shadow Attorney General Julian Leeser outlined previous coalition efforts to strengthen anti-hate legislation, revealing ongoing gaps in current legal frameworks.
"In the last parliament, we put forward private members' bills in relation to banning hate symbols. This was long before the government did put forward their laws," Leeser said.
He also referenced a private member's bill for a judicial inquiry into anti-Semitism on university campuses, noting it aligns with the ECAJ's 15-point plan.
"I think we do need to look at what's happening in our cities. People have the right to protest, but people in the city shouldn't have to put up with the nature of violent protest, where people smash up shops and burn down buildings and call for the death of people," Leeser said.
The shadow attorney general criticized Victoria's state government for failing to deliver promised action following a previous synagogue fire seven months ago.
"After the Adas Israel fire, the state government here in Victoria promised a series of actions seven months ago. And yet there has been no legislation brought forward into Victoria to deal with some of the issues that were raised after DAS Israel," he said.
Enforcement Concerns Raised
Ley expressed concern that existing laws are not being adequately enforced, calling for stronger intervention from law enforcement agencies.
"What I hear from the community is that there have been many task forces, there have been many talk fests, there have been many conversations, there have been many words. What they're really calling for is action," she said.
She specifically referenced hate speech incidents in Melbourne streets, arguing current responses are insufficient.
"The sort of hate speech that we've seen on the streets of Melbourne, there shouldn't be an ability for people to chant the words death, and I'm not going to complete the phrase, on the streets of Melbourne and just be accepted. It is not a protest. It is hate, pure hate," Ley said.
The opposition leader called on Victorian Premier to instruct law enforcement for stronger intervention capabilities.
Leeser blamed multiple levels of leadership for enforcement failures since October 7, 2023.
"Right since October 7 we have seen a failure of leadership, of political leadership, of law enforcement leadership, of university leadership, of the Australian Human Rights Commission to actually enforce laws that are on the books," he said.
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Weekend Incidents Referenced
The visit followed weekend incidents including attacks at restaurants, with Leeser noting existing laws should cover such actions.
"If you're going in and causing people damage to the restaurant, that's against the law. If you're chanting incitement to violence or incitement to hate, that is against the law," he said.
He questioned why perpetrators of synagogue attacks might not be charged under recently passed legislation requiring mandatory minimum sentences for attacks on houses of worship.
"I believe that the authorities need to explain if the person who did this act was not charged with those crimes, why they haven't been charged," Leeser said.
Education Component Emphasized
Ley endorsed Education Shadow Minister Jason Clare's suggestion for curriculum changes addressing anti-Semitism education in schools.
"It's actually one of the points in the 15-point plan to combat anti-Semitism. I'd like to know whether the government is looking at the other 14 points," she said.
The opposition leader emphasized that addressing anti-Semitism requires comprehensive approaches beyond security measures.
"This is about much more than that. It's about education, it's about the governance of our universities, it is about what happens in schools and it is about social media and it's about national security responses," Ley said.
International Relations Criticism
During the press conference, Ley criticized the government's international engagement, particularly regarding trade negotiations with the United States.
"It's very difficult for the Australian government to negotiate anything if the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese can't be in the room and get a meeting with Donald Trump," she said.
She noted that 245 days after President Trump's inauguration, no meeting has been scheduled between the two leaders.
"What that underlines is that whenever there's any discussions about tariffs, we, unfortunately, are not there able to plead our case," Ley said, contrasting Australia's position with the United Kingdom's successful steel tariff negotiations.
China Visit Context
Regarding Albanese's planned visit to China, Ley emphasized the importance of mutual respect in bilateral relationships.
"It's an important visit and it should underline the respectful relationship that we need to have with China and it should underscore the important people-to-people links that have built our country with Chinese-Australians," she said.
She stressed that respect should be reciprocal between the two nations.
Economic Concerns
Ley also addressed domestic economic pressures, expressing hope for interest rate reductions to alleviate mortgage stress for Australian families.
"I hope that ordinary Australians can see some pressure coming off the cost of their mortgage. And so I hope for the community that interest rates go down," she said.
She urged banks to pass through any rate cuts completely and promptly, noting continued high inflation and cost-of-living pressures.
The opposition leader's visit to the synagogue represents a significant political response to rising anti-Semitic incidents, with the 15-point ECAJ plan now receiving bipartisan attention as community leaders call for concrete action beyond political statements.
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