MPs condemn anti-Semitism as parliament resumes

After months of anti-Semitic attacks in Australia’s biggest cities, an MP has made a stand on the first sitting day of the year.

Independent MP Allegra Spender has kicked off the first sitting week of the year by putting forward a motion condemning anti-Semitism.

Ms Spender represents the eastern Sydney seat of Wentworth, which is home to a large Jewish population.

Her electorate has been hit with a spate of anti-Semitic attacks in recent months.

Speaking to the House, Ms Spender said Australia had “offered a safe haven” that was changing because of the recent spate of attacks.

Independent MP Allegra Spender has kicked off the first sitting week of the year by putting forward a motion condemning anti-Semitism. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“Now, parents and grandparents are genuinely wondering if they can continue to build their lives here,” she said.

“It broke my heart last year when a mother told me that her preschool-aged daughter was proudly taking part in a Hanukkah celebration and the only thing she could think of was she’s so happy to be Jewish.

“She has no idea how many people hate it.”

The motion states that the House: “Deplores the appalling and unacceptable rise in anti-Semitism across Australia, including violent attacks on synagogues, schools, homes and childcare centres; unequivocally condemns anti-Semitism in all its forms, as we condemn all similar hatred directed to any groups in our community; and resolves that all parliamentarians will work constructively together to combat the scourge of anti-Semitism in Australia.”

Independent senator Jacqui Lambie has put forward an identical motion in the Senate.

Jewish Labor MP Josh Burns says Australkia ‘cannot allow history to fester and to get out of control even more’. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Jewish Labor MP Josh Burns seconded the motion.

Addressing the House, he said all Australians should be able to live “without fear”.

“The first step is to listen to the Jewish people of Australia, they hold the collective memory of micro aggression, a hate of words, of acts of vilification and discrimination, and they understand the history of anti-Semitism,” he said.

“And we cannot allow history to fester and to get out of control even more.”

Mr Burns’ electorate office in Melbourne was targeted last year.

His remarks were followed by Jewish Coalition MP Julian Leeser, who accused the Albanese government of letting an anti-Semitism “crisis” unfold.

Jewish Coalition MP Julian Leeser says there is a ‘domestic terrorism crisis’ in Australia. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“We have a domestic terrorism crisis in this country the sort of which Australia has never experienced,” he said.

He said he would “not cop criticism for standing up for my family, my community or the country I love in the face of a government that has constantly let down the Jewish community and every law abiding Australian”.

The Coalition has accused the Albanese government of not acting fast enough to nip the rise of anti-Semitism in the bud following Hamas’ October 7, 2024 attacks on Israel.

Labor has in turn defended its response, pointing to a the suite of measure it has rolled out, including appointing an anti-Semitism envoy and setting up an Australian Federal Police-led taskforce to investigate anti-Semitic attacks.

Speaking on the motion, Anthony Albanese vowed to fight anti-Semitism with the “full force of the law”.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has vowed to fight anti-Semitism with the ‘full force of the law’. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“I know I speak for every member of this house when I say that this kind of hateful prejudice has no place in Australia,” the Prime Minister said.

“The awful anti-Semitism chanted by some of the protesters at the Sydney Opera House is beyond offensive.

“It is a betrayal of our Australian values. We reject it and we condemn it.”

Meanwhile, Peter Dutton said Australia was going through a “national crisis” and people were “talking about leaving our country”.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton says Australia is going through a ‘national crisis’. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“People who were born here, who know little of Israel and little of that life, they’re talking about leaving our country and going to Israel because they feel safer there,” the Opposition Leader said.

“This is a time of national crisis, and it has been brewing away and been in the making for a long period of time.”

Originally published as MPs condemn anti-Semitism as parliament resumes