Peter Dutton will fund armed guards at synagogues if elected, after Melbourne firebombing

Peter Dutton has vowed a major crackdown in the wake of the “vile” Melbourne synagogue firebombing, if he is elected next year.

Peter Dutton will fund armed guards at synagogues if elected next year in the wake of the Melbourne firebombing and move swiftly to deport visa holders involved in acts of anti-Semitism.

The Liberal leader outlined the crackdown on attacks on the Jewish community on Monday declaring that the firebombing of the Adass Israel Synagogue on Friday morning was “the sadly predictable outcome of Labor’s failure to heed the warnings of the Australian Jewish community”.

“We must send a message as a country that actions have consequences,” Mr Dutton said.

“For too long, the rise of vile anti-Semitism in our country has been allowed to fester, and, if such behaviour continues to be tolerated, it will only get worse. We need to say enough is enough.

“Only a Coalition Government will take the strong and decisive action necessary to tackle anti-Semitism, confront extremism and make our country safe again for people of all faiths.

“Stronger action and stronger national leadership could have prevented this.”

Damage to Adass Israel Synagogue in Ripponlea, Melbourne after it was firebombed on Friday. Picture: Yumi Rosenbaum

Home Affairs spokesman James Paterson and Mr Dutton outlined new measures on Monday

including a new, dedicated Anti-Semitism Taskforce led by the Australian Federal Police

(AFP) and incorporating the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), the

Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC), the Australian Transaction

Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC), the Australian Border Force (ABF) and state

police.

If elected, Mr Dutton said a new Ministerial Direction would be issued to the AFP to prioritise addressing anti-Semitism, including any outstanding complaints and unsolved crimes against the Jewish community since 7 October 2023, including doxxing, public display of terrorist symbols, incitement, harassment, and other offences.

This would include re-evaluation of any decisions to not proceed with charges for these offences.

A Dutton government would also task the Anti-Semitism Taskforce to refer any visa holders involved in acts of anti-Semitism for immediate cancellation and deportation.

Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Mr Dutton said he would also amend the section 501 character provisions of the Migration Act to ensure this anti-Semitic conduct is captured by the law, and applies retrospectively for all acts of hatred

He also pledged to deliver the $32.5 million security funding package requested by the Executive Council of Australian Jewry without any strings attached, including funding armed guards at schools and synagogues – unlike the Albanese Government who have restricted funding to unarmed guards only.

Attack on Melbourne synagogue

Less than 24 hours after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly criticised the Albanese government over its retreating support for Israel and promotion of Palestinian statehood at the UN, as inviting terrorism, the arson attack that ripped through the synagogue has left the community in shock.

The fire began at one of Australia’s busiest synagogue’s, the Adass Israel Synagogue of Melbourne around 4.10am at Ripponlea in Melbourne’s southeast.

Eyewitness reports suggest that two masked men were seen pouring petrol over the synagogue’s front entrance and that windows were smashed and molotov cocktails thrown into the building.

People lay flowers at the Adass Israel Synagogue on Sunday. Picture: David Crosling

One man who was inside at the time is believed to have burnt his hand escaping the building.

“This is an outrage,” Mr Albanese said.

“The violence, intimidation and destruction of a place of worship is something that we should never see in Australia.

“It’s risked lives and it’s clearly aimed at creating fear in the community.

“There are two persons of interest who were there. What was witnessed was them using accelerant and spreading it with a broom clearly designed to maximise the damage that could occur.”

People gather for a vigil near the Adass Israel Synagogue on Sunday. Picture: NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

“I have zero tolerance for antisemitism. It has absolutely no place in Australia,’’ Mr Albanese said in a statement.

“This violence and intimidation and destruction at a place of worship is an outrage.

“The people involved must be caught and face the full force of the law.”

Zionist Federation of Australia President Jeremy Leibler said the firebombing of a synagogue in Melbourne was shocking.

“No one should be surprised; this violent attack is a direct consequence of words turning into actions. Jew-hatred, left unchecked, endangers all Australians,” he said.

“Enough is enough, this is a stain on our nation. It’s time for all levels of government to turn their words into actions to stamp out this Jew-hatred.”