STATEMENT

My thoughts in the wake of the Bondi Beach terrorist attack

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The Bondi Beach terrorist attack on Sunday 14 December wasn’t just the worst ever terrorist attack in Australia’s history.

It was also the second-deadliest antisemitic attack outside Israel in the post-Holocaust era – surpassed only by the 1994 bombing in Argentina, killing 85.

And so, we should be under no misapprehension as to the magnitude of what’s happened within a national and international context.

In the wake of this barbaric act, I want to share a few thoughts:

First and foremost, my heart breaks for the families of those murdered.

My thoughts are with those who are being treated in hospital – and my appreciation is with our dedicated doctors and nurses.

My thanks goes to our police officers, paramedics, lifeguards and the innocent bystanders who showed incredible bravery in the face of pure evil.

And my condolences are with all Australians of Jewish faith – a cherished community which shouldn’t live in fear.

In some of the messages I’ve heard from leaders today, there’s been a sentiment of “don’t look back in anger.”

But I’m angry.

And Australians have every right to be angry.

An attack of this nature was foreseeable.

Prime Minister Albanese had the gall to say he would do “whatever is necessary to stamp out antisemitism.”

He is treating Australians like mugs.

There is a long thread connecting the Bondi attack – and every antisemitic incident on our soil – back to the Prime Minister’s weak and supine response to the hate-filled mob that gathered on the steps of the Sydney Opera House on 9 October 2023.

Consider what we’ve seen in the almost 800 days since:

The Caulfield riots.

The storming of the Crowne Plaza, Melbourne.

The doxxing of Jewish creatives.

Encampments on university campuses right across our country.

Islamist hate preachers able to say what they want.

An academic indoctrinating preschool children.

Activists unfurling banners on the roof of Parliament House.

The offices of parliamentarians vandalised.

Homes, cars and memorials graffitied.

Jewish Australians and students accosted on public transport.

The Adass Israel Synagogue firebombed.

Two nurses calling for the murder of Israelis.

Protesters worshipping terrorists, death cults, and Iran’s dictator.

Almost weekly antisemitic marches with mobs chanting genocidal slogans.

And a lot more than that.

Under this Prime Minister, intolerable antisemitic incidents have been tolerated.

And that’s led to more intolerable antisemitic incidents.

Perpetrators haven’t been held accountable.

And that’s meant would-be perpetrators haven’t been deterred.

Furthermore, the Albanese Government hasn’t been willing to condemn antisemitism on its own.

Too often, its condemnations of antisemitism only come by condemning Islamophobia and “all forms of racism” in the same breath.

Such false equivalence has trivialised the crisis of antisemitism plaguing our country.

Moreover, the government hasn’t done anything to implement the recommendations made by Jillian Segal.

Anthony Albanese has failed Australians of Jewish faith.

Our Prime Minister has failed the nation.

His weakness, inaction, and lack of moral clarity have allowed the disease of antisemitism to spread.

Frankly, he isn’t fit to hold the office he occupies.

Since his government came to power, its prejudice towards Israel has been on show for all to see.

It changed Australia’s position on recognising West Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

It started referring to the West Bank and Gaza as “occupied territories.”

It held Israel to an impossible standard after Hamas’ terrorist attack – calling on Israel to de-escalate its military response while hostages were still being held captive.

It treated Israel – the victim – as a villain.

And it made the ill-timed, insensitive, and inappropriate decision to recognise a Palestinian state.

The Albanese Government’s animosity to our ally Israel has only fuelled antisemitism on our own shores.

Our nation must have a reckoning with the purveyors and perpetrators of antisemitism if we’re to counter them.

Yes, there’s a neo-Nazi component.

And this component is widely acknowledged – with governments of all stripes committed to cracking down on these extremists.

But there are other components which we need to confront – and which the Albanese Government must confront.

There’s a youth component.

And when I say this, what I mean is young and impressionable Australians who have imbibed lies and propaganda about Israel.

There’s a revolutionary left component.

By this, I mean activists and professional protesters whose antisemitism goes hand-in-hand with other crusades.

For example, demonising Israel, spreading climate catastrophism, promoting radical trans activism, and campaigning against capitalism.

This revolutionary movement seeks to attack our institutions, sow division, and ingrain national self-loathing as part of their war on the West.

And there is an Islamist component.

I don’t mean the majority of Australians of Muslim faith who – like their fellow countrymen – work hard, embrace our values, and are loyal and cherished citizens.

Rather, I mean an increasing number of people who subscribe to radical Islamism on our shores.

If Australia is unwilling to confront radical Islamism, then the problems we face will intensify.

We risk becoming like parts of the United Kingdom and Europe.

This much is clear:

The Bondi Beach terrorist attack must be a catalyst for change.

There are people in our country today – who have migrated here or who have been born here – who reject our values, like freedom of belief and speech.

There are people in our country today who don’t want to change for Australia, but want Australia to change for them.

This cannot stand.

So, what’s to be done?

Well, we need to minimise the risk to Australians of Jewish faith – and the risk to all Australians.

The Prime Minister has proposed to review our gun laws – including ways of making them tougher.

Yes, we do need to do this.

But the reason Anthony Albanese is so strong on gun reform, is because he is so weak on confronting the root causes of antisemitism.

Especially, a much needed and long-overdue national debate on radical Islamism – as well as on immigration values-based reform.

And it’s incumbent on the Opposition – and the mainstream media – to not let the Prime Minister get away with his diversionary tactics.

In my view, here’s a few things the Albanese Government should do:

The government should ban the keffiyeh from being worn in Parliament – the scarf that symbolises terrorism that the Greens wear at every opportunity.

The government should outlaw the genocidal phrase, “From the River to the Sea.”

The government should no longer permit antisemitism marches to go ahead – marches which are masquerading as pro-Palestine.

The government should cancel the visas of the Gazan cohort here – and stop any plans to allow the remainder of the caseload into Australia.

Among the more than 1,900 Gazans who are here on visas, there’s a risk of there being even some individuals who have extremist views, who could spread those views, and who will not subscribe to Australian values.

And that’s a risk we can’t afford – especially now.

The government should prevent any further ISIS brides from returning to Australia.

The government should deport any Islamist hate preachers who are here on visas.

The government should reject all calls to remove religion as a motivation for terrorist acts.

And the government should strengthen the assessment – and conditions – upon which visas are granted to individuals.

There must be the highest threshold for any person granted a visa that they will adhere to our laws and abide by our values.

I say again:

The Bondi Beach terrorist attack must be a catalyst for change.

Our nation is changing for the worse.

It’s beyond time to course-correct – to ensure our nation changes for the better.

And not just for our cherished, fellow Australians of Jewish faith.

But for all Australians.

We must act now to preserve the character and soul of the nation that we love.