Scott Morrison backs Malka Leifer’s extradition from Israel

Scott Morrison has ramped up the fight to extradite ex-Melbourne school principal and alleged sex abuser Malka Leifer from Israel.

Alleged child sexual abuse victims Dassi Erlich and Nicole Meyer at a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: AAP

Scott Morrison assured the “brave and courageous” alleged sexual abuse victims of Malka Leifer he has not forgotten them, as he ramped up Australia’s fight to extradite the former Melbourne school principal from Israel.

The government first issued an extradition request in 2014 and has increasingly pressured Israel to return the 52-year-old after she fled Australia in 2008 on being accused of abusing female students at Melbourne’s ultra-Orthodox Adass Israel school.

“Their brave campaign for justice for the horrific allegations of abuse committed against them, and others, is to be commended and supported,” the Prime Minister said after meeting alleged victims Dassi Erlich and Nicole Meyer in Canberra on Wednesday. “We acknowledge how deeply traumatic and painful it must be for those having to revisit the hurt of the past, and we acknowledge the immense bravery of the victims in this case, and all similar cases. We stand with them.”

Mr Morrison said he would continue to raise the case with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, having previously spoken with him about the matter in August last year.

“(We) will continue to raise this issue with the incoming Israeli leadership,” he said. “The matter has also been raised frequently by Foreign Minister Marise Payne and the embassy officials.”

Liberal MP Dave Sharma joined forces with Labor backbencher Josh Burns in a show of bipartisan support on Wednesday to call for the alleged abuser’s extradition to Australia.

“We are here to ask the Australian government to do more,” Ms Erlich said on Wednesday. “Enough is enough. We don’t want platitudes, we want action.”

Mr Burns said the nation was standing with Ms Erlich and Ms Meyer to ensure “justice is done”.

Mr Sharma, a former Australian ambassador to Israel, said he did not doubt the independence and integrity of the Israeli legal system but thought it was time Ms Leifer faced the Australian courts.

“We are here today to send a very fair message to Israel that this case is a high priority for Australia and it is one we will be ceaseless in pursuing and it is one that unless resolved soon will have an impact on the broader relationship.”

Ms Meyer said she was fighting for other victims.

“We’re trying to (send) a message to all survivors that even if you have been abused life can go on, justice can be served, and we want to stand strong on behalf of all others, not just ourselves.”