Universities and artists face funding threat under antisemitism plan being considered by Australian government
The federal Labor government has not committed to the plan in full, with prime minister Anthony Albanese saying he would consider the recommendations of his handpicked envoy Jillian Segal, which also propose her office would 'monitor' media coverage and bolster education in schools and workplaces.
But Albanese indicated he was open to parts of the plan, saying some components – which he wouldn't name at a launch event on Thursday – could be implemented quickly. Government sources expect some parts would be put into motion soon.
'There is no place in Australia for antisemitism. 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,' Albanese said.
Segal's report claimed antisemitism is 'ingrained and normalised' in academia and cultural spaces, and said young Australians were being 'raised on a diet of disinformation and misinformation about Jews'.
Albanese said responding would require 'a long-term approach', including working with state governments and civil society. He denied the plan would see legitimate criticism of the Israeli government, including its military actions in Gaza and the deaths of thousands of Palestinian civilians, treated as antisemitism.
'I have released statements with other leaders that have been critical of the actions of the Netanyahu government … But you can put forward those views respectfully,' he said.
'Whatever your issue in the Middle East, it is not advanced by attacking people here in Australia because of who they are, because of their faith, because of their identity.'
The report recommended all levels of government adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism. However that definition is contested in some quarters, with some concerns it was increasingly being used to conflate antisemitism with criticism of Israel.
Segal had worked on the plan for around nine months, with some Jewish community leaders eager for the government to implement a more comprehensive package of structural changes, such as to education and policing, rather than simply putting more funds into security and CCTV. The plan, launched on Thursday with Albanese and home affairs minister Tony Burke, states that antisemitism erodes 'the very foundations of a thriving democracy' and 'poses a threat not just to Jewish Australians, but to our entire nation.'
'It addresses antisemitism in many places in our laws, classrooms, universities, media, workplaces, online spaces and public institutions,' Segal said of the plan.
With the report noting arson attacks at synagogues, and vandalism of Jewish schools or cultural sites, Segal said it was time to consider whether to strengthen hate crimes laws to better address incitement, vilification and 'the speaking of hatred'.
The report suggests strengthening federal and state legislation on antisemitic conduct, including vilification, and 'intimidating protest activity', as well as tougher screening of visa applicants for antisemitic views, with a focus on addressing visa refusals or cancellations.
Segal also wants to establish what she calls a 'report card' on universities' handling of antisemitism on campus, suggesting blocking government funding if they fail to act. Grants to universities, academics, and arts organisations could also be torn up, under the envoy's suggestions.
It also calls for boosting education of antisemitism in school curriculums, using 'trusted voices to publicly refute antisemitic views' on social media, and a plan to 'monitor media organisations… to avoid accepting false or distorted narratives'.
In an interview on Sky News, Segal wouldn't nominate examples of media coverage she felt breached that standard, but said Australian media outlets should represent the situation in the Middle East with 'fairness and balance'.
She also raised media coverage that could boost the 'vitality of Jewish life', suggesting media organisations produce 'additional stories about the Jewish community.
Government sources said they welcomed the report, and would now take time to consider its recommendations before giving a formal response and action plan.
The report claims research commissioned by the Special Envoy 'highlights a stark divide between Australians under 35 and those over 35' on attitudes toward the Jewish community and 'the existence of the state of Israel', claiming younger Australians were more likely to hold antisemitic views.
The envoy attributed this to differences in media consumption, noting 'generational differences in the understanding of the Holocaust and its impacts on society'.
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