Latest news with #JulianLeeser
Sky News AU
6 days ago
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Mehreen Faruqi's anti-Israel act which ‘hijacked' the Senate was ‘disgraceful'
Shadow Attorney-General Julian Leeser says Greens deputy leader Mehreen Faruqi's actions in the Senate were a 'disgrace'. Ms Faruqi took part in an anti-Israel protest during the opening ceremony of the Senate. 'I do think it says a lot about where the Greens have ended up,' Mr Leeser told Sky News host Steve Price. 'Senator Faruqi has the right to raise issues and questions in her role as a senator in the Senate using its normal processes, but to hijack the day, and to put forward her disgraceful sign, was reprehensible.'
The Guardian
08-07-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Could US-style primaries be the answer to the Liberals' gender imbalance? Party figures are mixed
Senior Liberal party figures reject claims support is growing for US-style primaries for preselections and say the issue is 'distracting' from discussion on quotas, but the NSW Liberal Women's Council president says the idea merits further investigation. In the US, both Democrats and Republicans use primaries. Rules vary across states, and can be open (to any registered voter), closed (requiring party registration) or a mix of both. There can be thousands of participants, leading to high levels of voter engagement. Supporters among the Liberals believe primaries would allow local communities to choose and be better engaged with their candidate, and level the playing field for women who might be disadvantaged by current party structures. Some Liberals, including the shadow attorney general, Julian Leeser, have long backed the proposal. But one NSW Liberal, who asked not to be named in order to speak freely, said they believed opponents of gender quotas were using the 'ridiculous' idea as a distraction. Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email 'The primary problem … is that we have a gender imbalance,' they said. They also said primaries were 'risky', with too many 'structural problems', and that the cost of running primaries would lock some potential candidates out. Neither the Liberals nor Labor, they said, would have the money to implement primaries in the style of the US. Another party figure, who did not want to comment publicly, criticised the idea, calling it 'a classic bait and switch to avert the subject of quotas'. A third NSW Liberal source, who did not wish to take a public stance on local primaries, said they were not aware of the idea being discussed at state branch or leadership meetings. The state Women's Council president, Berenice Walker, said the idea of primaries was worth looking into, but that the council was more focused on quotas. '[The] suggestion of community primaries is worth further investigation,' she told Guardian Australia. '[But] quotas are getting broader support around the party. Members are quite pragmatic about how to increase women's participation and are open to a range of solutions.' In June, Leeser told the ABC that community primaries were an opportunity for candidates to build and demonstrate 'actual community support'. 'I think it completely levels the playing field,' he said. 'Women often don't have the time to put into the years of building up support within a party that men do – because often women are juggling family and other responsibilities, and party structures are less friendly to women.' Former long-serving Liberal MP Karen Andrews has also supported primaries. When Andrews announced her retirement, no women stood up for preselection to replace her in her south-east Queensland seat of McPherson. Andrews said the teal independent movement showed how direct community engagement can increase support across the electorate. '[With] a different style of preselection where the community was engaged, you're more likely to have a greater level of commitment from the community.' Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion The federal Liberal leader, Sussan Ley, has said she is 'agnostic' about what approach the party takes to increase female representation. Her deputy, Ted O'Brien, told the media on Tuesday 'all ideas are welcome'. The shadow minister for women, Melissa McIntosh, said in recent days that any reforms must include deeper cultural change within the party. McIntosh would not say if she supported US-style primaries, but has publicised her support for a 'candidate pool' model, similar to that introduced by former UK leader David Cameron to increase female and multicultural representation in the party. Sally Betts, a former Liberal mayor of Waverley and prominent moderate in Wentworth, said party reforms should focus on members and giving them value. Betts said that in her experience, preselections, which under the current rules are open to all members of a branch, often involved only a fraction of the members. 'We are a member-based organisation. When are we going to look after members and encourage them to participate?' As a result of changes introduced by Tony Abbott, all Liberal branch party members are now entitled to vote in preselections, sometimes referred to as plebiscites. Previously, candidates were chosen by a panel that was a mix of party members and party officials. She said preselection for Vaucluse held relatively early after the new plebiscite rules had attracted about 100 members to participate, out of a possible 600, reflecting a the party's more pressing problem – internal engagement. 'We should perhaps make it easier to register and encourage our members to participate.' Former NSW Liberal party president Jason Falinksi said the floating of possible US-style primaries was 'yet another example of us talking about ourselves' and did not believe the model would improve diverse representation in the party. 'Not a single part of this proposal helps us represent the people who are desperate for representation. We would spend yet more resources talking to ourselves while ignoring the very people who need our help and representation.'
SBS Australia
08-07-2025
- Politics
- SBS Australia
'Failure of leadership': Opposition backs 15-point push to fight antisemitism
Opposition leader Sussan Ley is calling on the Albanese government to implement "measures that work" following a spate of attacks on the Jewish community over the weekend. The incident was one of several over the weekend, which included offensive chants outside an Israeli-owned restaurant in Melbourne's CBD. Speaking to reporters outside the 150-year-old synagogue on Tuesday, Ley threw the Opposition's full support behind a 15-point plan by the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) to fight antisemitism. "Hate can never be normalised, can never be excused or explained away," she told reporters in east Melbourne. The Liberal Party leader met with leaders of the Jewish community in east Melbourne following a spate of antisemitic attacks over the weekend. Source: AAP / Con Chronis "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. She was joined by Jewish MP Julian Leeser, Opposition immigration spokesperson Paul Scarr and Victorian senator James Paterson at the synagogue. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has faced criticism for not visiting the synagogue since the attacks, despite vehemently condemning the incidents. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke visited the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation on Sunday, labelling the incident "an attack on Australia". In February, the ECAJ recommended the declaration of a national emergency, better coordination between agencies to fight antisemitic terror and improved training for law enforcement. It calls for the Migration Act to explicitly refuse visas on the grounds of antisemitic conduct, despite the immigration minister having powers to cancel or refuse visas on the grounds of failing the character test. It also includes a change to the national curriculum to include antisemitism education as well as a public awareness campaign. Education Minister Jason Clare has hinted at changes to the national curriculum, reiterating that Holocaust education was an important part of the existing school system. Albanese responds to calls for National Cabinet on antisemitism Ley continued the Opposition's calls for the prime minister to convene the National Cabinet, suggesting it should happen on a "regular basis". "There are issues around this which require the policing authorities across the different states to come together so we don't have failures of laws and law enforcement," she said. "And we've also got issues that we have separately identified in a childcare centre in Melbourne." However, speaking 20 minutes before Ley, Albanese said the community doesn't "want a meeting, they want action". There were a number of antisemitic incidents over the weekend in Melbourne, including the attempted arson of a synagogue. Source: AAP / James Ross Albanese defended almost $60 million in funding to enhance security at Jewish schools and synagogues, stating it had been critical to the arrest of a 34-year-old male in relation to Friday's attack. "One of the reasons why this gentleman has been caught so quickly is because the CCTV that was in place there was a direct result of Commonwealth government funding," he said. "We will respond to any request constructively. That is what we have done." The federal government committed extra funding to the ECAJ to enhance security in December after a fire tore through two of three Adass Israel synagogue buildings in Melbourne's south. It is intended to help the Jewish community assess risks and threats, increase security monitoring, and upgrade infrastructure, such as security cameras, lighting, fences, and alarm systems. It follows a $25 million grant to the ECAJ in October 2023 and the assignment of Jillian Segal as Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism in Australia in 2024 as part of the government's ongoing efforts to preserve social cohesion in Australia.
West Australian
07-07-2025
- Politics
- West Australian
‘We need leadership': Opposition leader to tour firebombed synagogue as Federal silence slammed after attacks
Public concern about antisemitism is highest in WA, where residents are more likely to be aware of negative perceptions toward Jewish people, according to a new Combat Antisemitism survey. It comes as Opposition Leader Sussan Ley prepares to visit a firebombed Melbourne synagogue on Tuesday following a spate of anti-Jewish attacks over the weekend. The Liberal leader, joined by shadow legal affairs spokesman Julian Leeser, will meet with affected community members, as questions mount over the Prime Minister's response. After issuing a brief statement on Saturday, Anthony Albanese left it to Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke and colleague Mark Dreyfus to front cameras while he attended a rugby match in Newcastle on Sunday. On Monday, he did not visit the site but travelled to Canberra for a Cabinet meeting. It came as Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan unveiled a new government-led Anti-Hate Taskforce to review police powers. Combat Antisemitism Movement chief executive Sacha Roytnam said that without strong federal leadership, responsibility was falling to state and local governments to respond. It comes as mayors from across Australia prepare to attend Combat Antisemitism's dedicated summit in September to help councils combat anti-Jewish discrimination. 'The scenes in Melbourne over the weekend were shocking — a synagogue firebombed, Jewish diners assaulted, cars torched — all within isn't isolated,' Mr Roytnam said. 'It's part of a deeply troubling pattern of anti-Jewish hate that's escalating across Australia. 'Frankly, the federal response has not matched the seriousness of the threat. 'We need leadership, not just words — stronger laws, clear consequences, and a zero-tolerance approach to hate, no matter who it targets.' Combat Antisemitism's June–July survey of 1000 Australians found one in ten witnessed or heard of local antisemitic incidents in the past year. Several Opposition members have urged the government to hold a dedicated National Cabinet meeting to tackle the issue. Former Shadow Home Affairs Minister James Paterson on Monday urged the Albanese government to take stronger action, warning that ongoing attacks and protests require clear enforcement of the law. 'It's really time for the Prime Minister and the government to show leadership here,' he told ABC. 'This issue will continue to fester and get worse if it's not addressed and directly tackled head-on, and I want to see the government approach this with renewed vigour in this term.' He said perpetrators must face consequences to send a message that such behaviour won't be tolerated. University of Sydney Law School professor Tyrone Kirchengast said such a meeting could help address legal gaps across jurisdictions. 'What we're seeing is this traditional piecemeal approach between the Commonwealth and the States,' he said. 'I think what it's saying to the community is that there is a confused approach. 'The Commonwealth might have offenses but it's usually left to the States to police them, which means you're going to get inconsistent and uneven policing between the States. 'Then, of course, you've got inconsistent and uneven powers regarding protests. 'There's a way of perhaps bringing it before a National Cabinet. 'The other ways to potentially do it is with an agreement as to enforcing federal criminal law with regard to hate speech more consistently and evenly across the States.' While he welcomed Victoria's taskforce, Prof. Kirchengast said it diverts state resources and suggested federal funding for a similar dedicated group as an alternative. Sydney man Angelo Loras, 34, has been charged with setting fire to the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation's front doors on Friday night, forcing about 20 people inside to flee. The group was having Shabbat dinner, marking the beginning of the Jewish day of rest, when the attack took place at 8 pm. The latest flashpoint included an attack on Israeli restaurant Miznon, where a group reportedly chanted 'Death to the IDF,' mirroring a controversial performance by UK rap duo Bob Vylan at Glastonbury Festival. Asked on Monday whether Victoria would consider protest permit rules similar to those in NSW, Ms Allan said her government was implementing a broader suite of measures. La Trobe University Institute for Human Security Emeritus Professor Dennis Altman said he didn't expect the government's response to go beyond its current approach. 'I don't think we can expect more. I mean, the problem is people keep calling for our politicians to do more without being very clear what it is they are able to do,' he said. 'I'm not quite sure what a government is able to do except prosecute people, which they certainly are going to do under already existing laws.' Instead, he called for a 'thought through careful strategy' involving education programs in schools and universities, arguing the current style of protesting was often 'counterproductive.'
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Libs admit Chinese diaspora failings on listening tour
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has met Chinese community and business leaders as the Liberals work to rebuild trust with a demographic that largely abandoned the party at the federal election. Ms Ley said she heard examples of racism and hatred that plagued the community that "made us very angry and very distressed". "We didn't get everything right at the last election and I made it clear that I wanted a valuable, ongoing conversation," she told reporters after Monday's meeting in northwest Sydney, admitting the party struck the wrong cord with the diaspora. "Protection from hate for our migrant communities should always be front and centre." Ms Ley didn't answer whether an apology was issued for comments made during the election campaign by a senior Liberal senator about potential "Chinese spies" being embedded in Labor's campaign. It followed media reports alleging Chinese Communist Party-linked volunteers were helping Labor during the May election campaign. "I'm not going to go into the private discussions that we had today, but I am going to say that I freely admit that we did not get it right, that our tone wasn't right and the messaging wasn't right and that we needed to change course," Ms Ley said. Shadow attorney-general Julian Leeser said Chinese Australians raised concerns about being able to contribute to their community. "That was a very strong message that came through the valuing of communities, so those issues will very much be front and centre when we consider policies going forward," he said. Parramatta Labor councillor Michael Ng said the Liberal Party lost the trust of the Chinese community due to its harsh rhetoric and lack of action to protect the diaspora. Cr Ng wasn't at the roundtable but said he had heard concerns from Chinese Australians about their disappointment in the Liberal Party and some of that went back to how they were treated during the COVID-19 pandemic. "When it comes to election time, they try to say 'we support you', but when you look at the shadow ministers, their rhetoric doesn't support that," he told AAP. An analysis of comments on Chinese social media platform WeChat carried out by Australian-Chinese Relations Institute deputy director Wanning Sun found the Liberals lost the trust of Chinese voters, pointing to hawkish language by shadow ministers against China.
