The appearance of antisemitic graffiti in Red Cliffs’ Barclay Square in Mallee’s north has again highlighted the need for strong national leadership, Member for Mallee Dr Anne Webster said.

Graffiti describing Israel as ‘nazi’ and ‘evil’ appeared late last week at the Red Cliffs public space follows an incident reported to Dr Webster in the Mallee’s south of antisemitic material posted in a public amenities block displaying the nazi swastika declaring ‘say no to immigration’. 

“The Red Cliffs incident is highly concerning, particularly because it creates a false equivalence between Nazi ideology and the state of Israel, a nation which was revived as a home for those persecuted by the Nazi regime,” Dr Webster said.

“The rapid rise in antisemitism across the country lies at the feet of Prime Minister Albanese who has failed to show the swift leadership needed ever since the October 7, 2023 Hamas terror attack in Israel.”

“Little wonder that our education system has failed to clear up falsehoods about nazi ideology and antisemitism, given the Albanese Labor Government joined the Greens blocking the Coalition’s attempt to establish a Commission of Inquiry into antisemitism at Australian universities, the furnace that forges the minds of tomorrow.  The Prime Minister’s own envoy on antisemitism recommended the Inquiry but the PM is worried about marginal inner city seats which he might lose to the Greens.  He has shown he doesn’t govern for all Australians and the national interest.”

“The spate of antisemitic attacks across Australia – including on the Adas Israel Synagogue in Melbourne and more recently in Dover Heights and the fire-bombing of a childcare centre in Maroubra in Sydney – has shocked Australia and the world – and sadly there are dark clouds are over Mallee.”

Dr Webster told Federal Parliament last week:

‍“While people in Mallee might think this is an urban issue, the reality is that I have been made aware of antisemitism in Mallee too. This is not only an issue in inner city areas where there are many Jewish people living in close proximity to each other, but also in rural and regional communities. In small rural and regional communities, people often know each other and rely heavily on their social networks and connections, making festering antisemitism even more volatile. Jewish people in Mallee tell me they don’t feel safe due to open antisemitism in the Australian community, including the display of blatantly antisemitic propaganda in public spaces within my rural and regional electorate.”

“The Coalition will convene a National Cabinet to combat antisemitism and extremism, and a new dedicated taskforce led by the Australian Federal Police and other federal and state law enforcement agencies,” Dr Webster added.

“A Dutton-Littleproud Government would also direct the taskforce to refer any visa holders involved in acts of antisemitism for immediate visa cancellation and deportation.”

“The Coalition has also been calling for tougher action on prohibited Nazi and terrorist organisation symbols, and related behaviour, increasing the maximum penalty to 5 years imprisonment with a mandatory minimum of 12 months’ jail.

“A Coalition government will also provide $7.5 million over three years in additional funding to Crime Stoppers to enable Crime Stoppers to expand its operations and protect more Australians from the devastating impact of crime in local communities and helping address the antisemitism and extremism crisis.”