Multicultural review leaves Jewish community ‘at risk’

A once-in-50-year review of multiculturalism commissioned by Labor has ‘put the Jewish community at risk’ through its failure to address rising anti-Semitism, it has been claimed.

Executive Council of Australian Jewry president Daniel Aghion. Picture: NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

A once-in-50-year review of multiculturalism commissioned by Labor has “put the Jewish community at risk” through its failure to address rising anti-Semitism and a “breakdown” in the nation’s social cohesion, it has been claimed.

President of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, Daniel Aghion, said the Multicultural Framework Review released on Wednesday was an “opportunity to address these ­issues, but the opportunity has been missed”.

“It beggars belief that the report makes no mention of the breakdown in multiculturalism and social cohesion that we are currently experiencing, and does not even mention the word anti-Semitism,” he said. “It has often been noted that anti-Semitism is the oldest and most adaptable form of hatred. Failing to ­acknowledge and address its resurgence in Australia today not only puts the Jewish community at risk, but also undermines any effort to acknowledge and ­address the unprecedented challenges facing Australia.”

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles on Thursday did not commit to any of the report’s 29 recommendations, saying the government supported “the principles which are articulated in this review.”

He also conceded that the 200-plus page review it did not directly address anti-Semitism.

“The review doesn’t go to it (anti-Semitism), but the government is very clear about our position in relation to it,” he told the ABC. “We absolutely acknowledge that … we need to stand against it, that we have the strongest condemnation of it from government.”

While the government has not committed to any of the recommendations, it has not yet rejected them and Labor sources have told The Australian it may implement some.

The review put an overhaul of the citizenship test on the table, suggesting consideration be given to providing the test in languages other than English, while also proposing the ABC be given an official multicultural advisory role. It also suggested the creation of a multicultural affairs commission and commissioner, in addition to the establishment of a stand-alone dep­artment of multicultural affairs with a dedicated minister.

The president of the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils, Rateb Jneid, said there had “never been such an important time to reaffirm our commitment to a multicultural Australia, and AFIC is ready and willing to do so and work to achieve this”.

Dr Jneid welcomed the multicultural review framework, saying AFIC supported the “autonomy of multicultural ­affairs by way of a commissioner but would advocate for its distinction from immigration”.

“The continual conflation of multiculturalism and immigration implies that multicultural Australia would change if immigration was to change,” he said.

Mr Aghion said the Hamas ­attack on Israel on October 7 had “polarised communities in Australia, with the result that multicultural and interfaith discourse, co-operation and activity has all but ceased”.