Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has pledged strong action to combat anti-Semitism and extremism, criticising the Albanese Government for inaction on rising threats to public safety and unity in Australia.
Speaking after the firebombing of the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne, Dutton outlined a range of policies a Coalition Government would introduce to address hate crimes and bolster community security.
“The firebombing of the Adass Israel Synagogue is a sadly predictable outcome of Labor’s failure to heed warnings from the Australian Jewish community and the Coalition,” Dutton said.
“A Dutton Coalition Government will take decisive action to tackle these threats and unite our country.”
Key measures as per Dutton’s statement include establishing a dedicated Anti-Semitism Taskforce led by the Australian Federal Police, prioritising the investigation of outstanding crimes against the Jewish community, and ensuring visa cancellations for offenders involved in anti-Semitic acts. Dutton also promised to deliver $32.5 million in security funding requested by the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, which would cover armed guards at schools and synagogues.
The Opposition Leader emphasised that stronger leadership was necessary to confront hate and extremism:
“For too long, the rise of vile anti-Semitism in our country has been allowed to fester. We must send a message that actions have consequences.”
Meanwhile, Dutton has adjusted his stance on net migration, stepping back from a May pledge to nearly halve the intake.
In a Sky News interview, he said the Coalition would reassess migration targets if it forms government, focusing on “the economic settings we inherit.”
Although the Coalition intends to reduce the permanent migration intake from 185,000 to 140,000 per year for two years, Dutton has not committed to a net migration cap. This has raised questions about the opposition’s plans, particularly as Labor’s own migration policies remain in flux.
The Albanese Government anticipates net migration will stabilise at 260,000 this financial year, down from over 500,000 last year, as temporary migrants who extended their stays under Morrison-era policies depart.
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