Opposition leader Peter Dutton calls for parliament to act on anti-Semitic crisis

Opposition leader Peter Dutton has lashed Victoria’s courts amid a spike in anti-Semitic attacks, saying offenders are given a “slap on the wrist” as he calls for mandatory sentencing.

Opposition leader Peter Dutton has demanded that the federal parliament and courts do more to clampdown on anti-Semitic attacks.

Speaking on radio ahead of parliament returning on Tuesday, Mr Dutton said Jewish people were living in fear and needed to know that red lines were going to be implemented and enforced.

He called for mandatory penalties for targeted attacks intimidating people of Jewish faith, including incidents such as anti-Semitic graffiti at a prominent family’s Middle Park mansion on the weekend.

“It escalates because it starts with the graffiti, and then the fire bombings come, and then the attempted terrorist attacks take place, and it’s unacceptable,” Mr Dutton told 3AW on Monday.

“I think we need to act as a parliament. The Prime Minister would say; ‘Oh, well the penalties are already there in place’, but somebody who’s charged with graffiti, or charged with wilful damage on a motor vehicle, with sign writing or messages of hate, whatever it might be, the reality is, if they front a magistrate in a local court tomorrow in greater Melbourne, they’re going to get a slap on the wrist.”

The Middle Park home of Victoria's most successful Jewish businesswomen was attacked by vandals. Picture: Supplied

Peter Dutton has lashed Victoria’s courts amid a spike in anti-Semitic attacks. Pictures: Luis Enrique Ascui

Mr Dutton added to his criticism of the courts, saying they were “part of the problem here as well”.

“The courts need to hear what the community sentiment is, and the community is that there is zero tolerance for this sort of behaviour, and the parliament should reflect that and direct that to the courts,” he said.

Mr Dutton — who has been critical of the government’s response — has called for bail to be denied, mandatory sentencing for terrorist offences, visa cancellation and deportation for people involved in these activities.

“The Prime Minister should come out with a statement to say that we face a national crisis, and he’s actually going to stand up and implement some of these measures,” he said.

“Somebody is going to lose their life at some point if these people are not stopped.”

Suburban Rail Loop. Picture: supplied

Asked whether he would push for Suburban Rail Loop to continue after the Herald Sun revealed its authority has embarked on a hiring blitz offering large salaries, Mr Dutton said the money should be spent on “practical projects and projects that are actually going to be delivered” not public servants.

“I think this has turned into a cruel hoax, and I don’t think Jacinta Allan has $1 to her name that she has to put to the Suburban Rail Loop and even Anthony Albanese can see that,” he said.

“I don’t think the Victorian Government has any financial capacity to deliver the suburban rail loop, and frankly I think if the Prime Minister has been honest that would be his judgment.”

Mr Dutton said the federal government’s decision to employ another 36,000 public servants in Canberra at a cost of $6bn a year, meant $24bn over the next four years was being taking away from Suburban Rail Loop, investing in housing or paying down debt.

He said he was “in favour of suburban rail and making an impact on congestion” and would consider investing in “legitimate projects”.

Meanwhile, he said a Dutton government would do “whatever we can” to ensure the US doesn’t slap tariffs on Australia.

Originally published as Opposition leader Peter Dutton calls for parliament to act on anti-Semitic crisis