Ballarat Council pulls $285K grant from environmental group amid board member’s anti-Semitic rant

Ballarat council has pulled a mammoth grant to an environmental group after a senior board member shared posts blaming Jews for the rise in antisemitism and calling Israel a “stain” on the planet.

A major regional council has terminated a $285,000 grant to an environmental group after a senior board member shared online posts blaming Jews for the rise in antisemitism and calling Israel a “stain” on the planet.

Victoria’s antisemitism crisis appears to have crept into the regions, with Ballarat City Council pulling a major grant from the Ballarat Renewable Energy and Zero Emissions Incorporated (BREAZE) following “offensive and discriminatory” online comments by its past president.

Former university lecturer and climate campaigner Dr Mary Debrett had shared the antisemitic posts on X, formerly Twitter, over several months last year, amid the war in Gaza.

Among them was a claim – which Dr Debrett retweeted – that antisemitism was a “reaction to harmful Jewish behaviour” and a “rejection of Jewish supremacy”.

Past President at Ballarat Renewable Energy and Zero Emissions Incorporated (BREAZE) Dr Mary Debrett shared a series of anti-Semitic posts online. Picture: LinkedIn

In another, she wrote that Israel was a “stain on the planet” and a “colonial invader”.

“If living as multicultural society like most western countries do, is not acceptable to Israelis, they should all go somewhere else,” she said.

Responding to a news article about Labor increasing scrutiny on candidates who “put religion above loyalty to the party” – referring to senator Fatima Payman’s defection from the party – Dr Debrett asked: “Will this apply to Jews?”

When contacted by the Herald Sun for comment, Dr Debrett claimed that she had been taken “completely taken out of context” and denied that the comments were antisemitic.

“I’m not antisemitic, I’m anti-genocide,” she said.

“Regarding my retweets, this action is not an endorsement.”

She accused the Council of a “witch hunt” against her and of “character assassination”.

It is understood that the Council had pulled the funding after BREAZE refused to drop Dr Debrett from the board.

The former lecturer, however, resigned from the Board following the allegations.

City of Ballarat Director Infrastructure and Environment Bridget Wetherall said the organisation had been told this week to hand back what was left of the first round of funding.

“The partnership was worth $284,961.57 over three years, starting in the 2024/25 financial year,” she said.

“We are exercising our right under a clause in the partnership to terminate the agreement immediately and with immediate effect following what City of Ballarat considered to be offensive and discriminatory online posts by a board member of BREAZE.”

“This decision has not been made lightly, and it is regrettable, however it is a necessary action. We wish BREAZE well in its future activities.”

Zionism Victoria president Elyse Schachna thanked Ballarat Council for their prompt response, warning that antisemitism is not just an “inner-city problem”.

“It’s insidious and can quietly fester anywhere before it explodes,” she said.

“People who publicly spew antisemitic conspiracy theories and openly declare their hatred of Jews should be held accountable and face consequences, especially when it concerns hard-earned ratepayer money.”

A BREAZE spokesman, who noted Dr Debrett’s comments had been made on her personal account, said they had responded to a letter outlining “certain matters” from City of Ballarat and had requested a meeting.