Labor launches new counter-terrorism strategy amid wave of anti-Semitic attacks

The new plan to crack down on violent extremism comes amid a wave of anti-Semitic attacks in Australia’s biggest cities.

The Albanese government is launching a new strategy to tackle “rising” violent extremism amid calls for a national summit of state and territory leaders on the wave of anti-Semitic attacks hitting Australia’s biggest cities.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke unveiled the intervention-centric action plan in Melbourne on Friday, repeating warnings from Australia’s domestic intelligence chief that younger Australians were becoming “radicalised faster and radicalised online”.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke says young Australians are becoming ‘radicalised faster and radicalised online’. Picture: NewsWire / David Crosling

“We are increasingly finding people where it is no longer a set ideology, be it what would be viewed as an extremist ideology purporting to be based on faith or what would be described as a right wing, racist ideology,” he told reporters.

“It is now as well mixed ideologies as part of these rapid forms of radicalisation.

“That has meant that as the threat level has evolved, the government’s response needs to evolve as well.”

A national support and intervention program is at the core of the strategy.

It will also include a national rollout of NSW’s Step Together program, which offers support to people if someone they know shows signs of radicalisation.

The plan will cost of $102.6m over four years.

Friday’s announcement came as police investigated another anti-Semitic attack in Sydney.

“F**k Jews” and “f**k Israel” were spray-painted onto two cars set on fire in the suburb of Dover Heights.

A house was also splashed with paint.

NewsWire understands the property was recently owned by Jewish community leader Alex Ryvchin.

A property targeted in an anti-Semitic attack overnight was recently owned by Jewish community leader Alex Ryvchin. Picture: NewsWire / John Appleyard

The incident is the latest in a spate of anti-Semitic attacks targeting private properties and synagogues in Sydney and Melbourne.

As home affairs minister, Mr Burke has led the Albanese government’s response to rising anti-Semitism in Australia, including setting up Operation Avalite – a Federal Police-led taskforce to crack down on anti-Semitic incidents.

Mr Burke condemned the attack overnight.

“I unequivocally condemn the crimes that have been committed overnight and as we saw yesterday with the first charges being brought forward under Operation Avalite, the people who are engaging in these hate crimes need to understand that … this is not graffiti, this is a hate crime with serious criminal penalties,” he said.

“And we have our best agencies working to make sure these people are hunted down so we are in a situation to throw the book at them.”

Meanwhile, Allegra Spender, the independent MP representing Dover Heights, joined calls for Anthony Albanese to convene national cabinet to discuss a countrywide response to anti-Semitism.

She posted on X that the Prime Minister “was right to appoint an Antisemitism Envoy” and that “we need to listen to her advice”.

“We must send a stronger message that these attacks are unacceptable,” she said.

“It is time to convene National Cabinet & treat the surge in antisemitism like the crisis it is.

“We need a national approach to policing, sentencing, law reform and education – as Jillian Segal has called for.”

I can’t believe we’ve woken up today to see another disgusting antisemitic attack in our community.

These dangerous criminal attacks must be stopped and the thugs responsible brought to justice.

— Allegra Spender (@spenderallegra) January 16, 2025