Anthony Albanese commits $4m for new Holocaust education centre

Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton will both mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz in Perth. Here’s what they will say on the monumental occasion.

Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton will mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz in Perth with the government pledging $4m for a new holocaust memorial and education centre amid a growing national escalation in antisemitism. 

Mr Albnaese will mark the anniversary at the ceremony in Perth on Monday alongside West Australian Prime Minister Roger Cook where he expected to acknowledge that “we are not yet free of antisemitism”.

“Eighty years since the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau our observance carries a powerful message about the enduring strength of the Jewish people, and about our unwavering commitment to combat hateful prejudice in all its forms,” he will say in his speech.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton. Picture: Martin Ollman

“Tragically, we are not yet free of antisemitism. It stands in vile opposition to all we are as a nation and all that we have built – together – over generations.”

Mr Albanese reassured the Jewish community that Australia had zero tolerance for antisemitism after arson attacks on cars and homes in Jewish neighbours in Sydney made headlines nationwide.

“We will not tolerate it (antisemtism) in any form. It has no place in our nation, and we will combat it with the full force of our laws and with total commitment from every level of government. 

“Jewish Australians are integral to the story of Australia, and to the even greater future within our reach. Australia proudly welcomed so many survivors of the horrors of the Holocaust, offering refuge and hope.

A reproduction of a photo of Holocaust survivor Albrecht Weinberg (L) and his siblings Diedrich (C) and Friedel (R). Picture: Getty

“We embraced the Jewish community then, and we embrace you now.” 

Also on Monday Finance Minister Katy Gallagher and Assistant Minister Julian Hill will be in Canberra to announce $4.4m to build a National Holocaust Museum and Education Centre in a refurbished wing of the National Jewish Memorial Centre.

Opposition leader Peter Dutton — who will mark the anniversary at the Holocaust Institute of WA — also raised the recent alarming incidents of antisemitism in Sydney and Melbourne.

“In the magnitude of antisemitism which is plaguing Western democracies today – including Australia – many citizens who have read about the history and horrors of the Holocaust have, for the first time, grasped how that catastrophe eventuated,” he said. 

“They have seen, with their own eyes, a type of hate that, if left unchecked, unleashes greater evils.

“The lessons of history serve as a shield of knowledge which helps to deflect antisemitism.”

Originally published as Anthony Albanese commits $4m for new Holocaust education centre