Key Takeaways
- The Coalition has launched an antisemitism, extremism, and counterterrorism taskforce in response to the Bondi attack.
- The taskforce will examine how to implement recommendations from antisemitism special envoy Jillian Segal and identify gaps in law enforcement powers.
- The national cabinet has agreed to strengthen Australia’s gun laws in the wake of the Bondi Beach shooting.
- The Albanese government has defended its response to antisemitism, but has not formally responded to all of Ms Segal’s recommendations.
Introduction to the Taskforce
The Coalition has launched an antisemitism, extremism, and counterterrorism taskforce in the wake of the Bondi attack, which killed 15 people. The taskforce will be headed by Opposition Leader Sussan Ley and will aim to intensify scrutiny of the federal government’s response to antisemitism and assess national security weaknesses and emerging risks exposed by the terror attack. The group will also seek to identify gaps in law enforcement powers and undertake "direct and ongoing engagement" with Jewish community leaders and organisations to improve their protection and restore confidence.
The Role of the Taskforce
A key focus of the taskforce will be examining how all recommendations from antisemitism special envoy Jillian Segal can be "progressed, strengthened and implemented". The taskforce will consider putting its own private members’ bills before parliament if necessary. Ms Ley said antisemitism was a "real and present danger" to Australian lives, which therefore needed a "serious national response". She also stated that antisemitism had been "allowed to grow in plain sight" and the Bondi terror attack was a "consequence" of the nation’s "failure to confront extremism early and decisively".
Government Response to Antisemitism
The Prime Minister has defended his government’s response to antisemitism in Australia, claiming that Labor was already "implementing" recommendations from Ms Segal’s report released in July. The government has legislated against hate speech, Nazi symbols, and doxxing, and has introduced a National Student Ombudsman and a $4 million program aimed at eradicating racism in schools. However, the government has not responded formally to all of Ms Segal’s recommendations, including more controversial proposals to strip funding from universities and cultural institutions that fail to effectively deal with antisemitism.
Antisemitism Training and Funding
The Department of Home Affairs is working with Ms Segal on antisemitism training for staff involved in visa processing. Options include rolling out revised foundational training to all visa and citizenship decision makers, as well as targeted advanced guidance for team leaders and specialist staff on recognising antisemitism in the context of visa processing. The government has also introduced substantial funding for security and cultural funding. However, Ms Segal has sharpened her comments about Labor’s lack of formal response, stating that "of course, the report could have been acted on further and faster, but that doesn’t mean opportunity is lost".
National Cabinet Agreement
The national cabinet has agreed to strengthen Australia’s gun laws in the wake of the Bondi Beach shooting. The meeting was held urgently to discuss the attack, which was inspired by terror group Islamic State. The father-son gunmen who targeted a Chanukah by the Sea event on Sunday were confirmed to have been inspired by the group. The agreement to strengthen gun laws is a significant step towards addressing the national security weaknesses and emerging risks exposed by the terror attack.
Conclusion and Next Steps
The launch of the taskforce and the agreement to strengthen gun laws are significant steps towards addressing antisemitism and extremism in Australia. However, the government’s response to antisemitism has been criticized for not being formal or comprehensive enough. The taskforce will play a crucial role in examining how to implement recommendations from Ms Segal and identifying gaps in law enforcement powers. The community is eagerly awaiting a formal statement from the government on the implementation of Ms Segal’s recommendations, and it remains to be seen how the government will respond to the pressure to take decisive action against antisemitism and extremism.