Sussan Ley vows new task force will deliver ‘action and protection’ for Jewish community

The Coalition will establish a seven-person taskforce in the wake of Australia’s deadliest terrorist attack, with Sussan Ley stating the events were a ‘line crossed that cannot be ignored’.

Sussan Ley said the Coalition task force would provide policy outcomes and action on anti-Semitism and terrorism. Photo: Gaye Gerard

The Coalition is set to announce an opposition anti-Semitism and Counter-Terrorism Taskforce following the Bondi shooting that has claimed 15 lives.

To be announced today, the opposition has identified three core goals including the implementation of anti-Semitism envoy Jillian Segal’s report, a national security and counter-terrorism response and Jewish community engagement and protection.

The seven-person task force includes Ms Ley, foreign affairs spokeswoman Michaelia Cash, home affairs spokesman Jonno Duniam, Shadow Attorney-General Julian Leeser, finance spokesman James Paterson, education spokesman Julian Leeser and infrastructure spokeswoman Bridget McKenzie.

Ms Ley said the group would deliver “action, protection and leadership,” and defended the move as necessary following Sunday’s shooting, which she said was a “line crossed that cannot be ignored”.

She also maintained her previous comments that the Coalition would offer bipartisan support to “serious and effective action that strengthens counter-terrorism, disrupts extremists and protects lives”.

“For too long, anti-Semitism has been allowed to grow in plain sight. What we saw at Bondi is the consequence of failure to confront extremism early and decisively,” she said.

Ms Segal told Sky News yesterday that she expected an immediate response to her report, which was tabled in July.

Ms Ley said the 49 recommendations which includes updating the definition of anti-Semitism, tougher tests for visas and reform, and financial penalties to strip funding from universities who fail to combat anti-Semitism, needed to be implemented in full.

“That must start with implementing the government’s own anti-Semitism Envoy’s report in full, not shelving it or watering it down,” she said. “No Australian should feel unsafe practising their faith, sending their children to school or gathering as a community.”

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Originally published as Sussan Ley vows new task force will deliver ‘action and protection’ for Jewish community