THE HON MARK DREYFUS KC MP
ATTORNEY-GENERAL
CABINET SECRETARY
MEMBER FOR ISAACS
Australian Jewish News Opinion Piece - Keeping the Community Safe
It is the responsibility of every part of Australian society to fight against antisemitism.
It has been surprising and deeply saddening to me how many times I have felt the need to say that fact over the past year.
It has never been more important for political leaders in this country to speak with one voice in reassuring all Australians, no matter where they come from, or what they believe, that hatred and violence have no place here.
We must continue to say it – but words alone are not enough. Words must be met with action.
The Albanese Labor Government understands this, which is why last week we delivered on our commitment to criminalise doxxing – the malicious release of personal information.
I know doxxing has had a deeply distressing impact on the Jewish community. Our law creates serious criminal penalties for this damaging and disturbing practice.
No one should be targeted because of who they are or what they believe. No one’s safety should be put at risk.
I thank the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, as well as women’s safety organisations, for their advocacy.
The clear need for action against doxxing is one reason I was shocked that Peter Dutton and the Liberal Party opposed it.
Five days before the vote on the doxxing bill, Senator James Paterson delivered a speech to the ECAJ demanding action against doxxing. He then walked into the Senate and voted against it.
In the final sitting week the Albanese Government also passed legislation to create Australia’s first National Student Ombudsman.
I have had countless Jewish students and their families across Australia tell me they do not feel safe on campus and more needs to be done.
The new National Student Ombudsman will be independent and have the power to investigate student complaints and resolve disputes with higher education providers.
The need to keep Jewish students safe of course extends beyond university campuses.
In the weeks following the 7 October terrorist attack the Albanese Government committed $25 million for improved safety and security at Jewish sites across the country, including schools.
This year the Albanese Government appointed Jillian Segal AO as Australia’s first Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism.
In September, I introduced legislation which responds to the rise in hate speech and hateful conduct in our society.
We will not tolerate this conduct.
Our Bill will strengthen criminal offences, including the urging or threatening of force or violence against individuals or groups because of who they are or what they believe.
This follows our landmark ban on the use of the Nazi salute and hate symbols which came into effect in January 2024.
It has been shocking to me that these symbols have been painted on businesses and openly brandished on our streets, including in my home city of Melbourne, the same city where my father and grandparents found refuge from Nazi Germany in 1939.
Our ban sends a clear message we do not tolerate this abhorrent behaviour and gives law enforcement agencies what they need to prosecute.
Strong leadership opposing antisemitism requires consistency.
Yet Peter Dutton has repeatedly tried to scrap section 18C of the Race Discrimination Act.
Whether in Government or Opposition, Labor has acted to preserve this important protection against racial vilification. Not only did a Labor Government create section 18C, we fought alongside the Jewish community to stop the former Liberal government from scrapping it.
Labor has stood resolutely with the Jewish community since the very foundation of the modern state of Israel.
It was a Labor minister and future Labor leader, Doc Evatt, who presided over the United Nations General Assembly when Australia was the first country to vote for Israel to be made a member.
The Prime Minister Anthony Albanese shared this history in the Parliament on 10 October 2023 as he condemned unequivocally the Hamas attacks and antisemitism. He said “all of us, and all Australians, embrace you in this time of trauma; we cannot lighten the weight that is upon you, but we hold you in our hearts.”
This is the same Prime Minister who has been a trenchant and public opponent of antisemitic boycotts of Israel.
Tackling the scourge of antisemitism and other forms of discrimination and hatred should be above politics.
Our diversity is, and has always been, our greatest strength.
I have hope that we can find a united way forward. I wrote on the anniversary of the 7 October attack that my hope lies in an Australia where antisemitism, the oldest hatred, is part of our past and not our shared future.
I hope for a future where we treat our neighbours like our own family, where we stand together against hatred and abuse.
The Albanese Labor Government will continue to act to keep the Australian Jewish community safe and secure so we can live a future free of fear.
This opinion piece was originally published in The Australian Jewish News
