Key Takeaways:
- The Australian government is facing criticism for not establishing a royal commission into the deadly terror attack on Sydney’s Jewish community
- The opposition is calling for practical steps to be taken, including bans on radical "hate preachers" and protests, stronger immigration laws, and a royal commission
- The government has argued that a royal commission would cause delays and instead wants to focus on keeping the community safe
- There are concerns that the government’s response does not address the underlying issue of antisemitism, which has been on the rise in recent years
- The government has announced plans to strengthen gun laws and has flagged further measures to combat antisemitism, but details are yet to be released
Introduction to the Debate
The Australian government is under pressure to take further action to protect the Jewish community after a deadly terror attack in Sydney. The opposition has slammed the government for brushing aside calls for a royal commission into the attack, which killed 15 people at a Hanukkah event at Bondi Beach. Former treasurer Josh Frydenberg has called on the government to take practical steps, including bans on radical "hate preachers" and protests, stronger immigration laws, and a royal commission. Frydenberg, who is Jewish, delivered an emotional speech at the site of the attack, where he expressed his anger and frustration at the government’s response.
Government Response
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has argued that a royal commission would cause delays and that all resources should be focused on keeping the community safe. This was echoed by Treasurer Jim Chalmers, who said that law enforcement agencies should not be "delayed or deterred" by an inquiry. However, the opposition has rejected this argument, with Coalition frontbencher James Paterson saying that it is possible to "act and have an inquiry at the same time". Paterson also pointed out that the government has a history of delaying action, and that a royal commission is necessary to identify any operational failures that may have contributed to the attack.
Community Concerns
The Jewish community has expressed overwhelming support for a royal commission, with many feeling that the government’s response does not address the underlying issue of antisemitism. Former bureaucrat Dennis Richardson, who served as ASIO director-general, has said that there needs to be a balance struck between taking action and holding an inquiry. Richardson also highlighted the need to address the issues of hate speech and enforcement of existing laws. He noted that it is "totally unacceptable" that preschools have armed guards, and that the government needs to take stronger action to combat antisemitism.
Calls for Action
The opposition is calling for the government to take immediate action to protect the Jewish community, including banning radical "hate preachers" and protests, and strengthening immigration laws. Labor MP Mark Dreyfus, a former attorney-general and one of the few Jewish federal parliamentarians, has said that the government "can and should do more" to combat antisemitism. Dreyfus emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach, saying that "we’ve got to do everything we can" and that "it won’t be just one thing, but there will be many things that we should be doing".
Government Plans
The government has announced plans to strengthen gun laws, including barring non-citizens from holding a licence. However, critics have argued that this does not address the underlying issue of antisemitism. Assistant immigration minister Matt Thistlewaite has flagged that the government will unveil a package of measures to strengthen laws to fight antisemitism over the coming days and weeks, but details are yet to be released. The government has also left the door open to ramping up hate speech laws, which were strengthened in February in response to rising antisemitism and Islamophobia. However, questions have been raised about whether the legislation is being enforced.
Conclusion
The debate over the government’s response to the terror attack on Sydney’s Jewish community continues to escalate. The opposition is pushing for a royal commission and practical steps to be taken to protect the community, while the government is arguing that a royal commission would cause delays and is instead focusing on keeping the community safe. As the community continues to mourn the loss of 15 lives, there is a growing sense of urgency for the government to take action to address the underlying issue of antisemitism and to ensure that such an attack never happens again.
