Current and future generations of Australian school children will learn the history and lessons of the Holocaust, following a $6.4 million investment by the Albanese Labor Government to build a National Holocaust Education Centre in Canberra and to deliver an upgrade to the Holocaust Institute of WA's Education Centre in Yokine.
The announcement, made on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, comes as Australia and the global community mark 80 years since the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp.
In memory of the six million people of Jewish faith murdered by the Nazi Regime, $4.4 million will be delivered to build the National Holocaust Education Centre in Canberra. This will serve as an enduring bulwark against antisemitism and hatred, located right in the heart of our nation's capital city.
The Centre, to be delivered in partnership with the Australian Capital Territory Jewish Community, will be accessible to the more than 165,000 Australian school children who travel to Canberra each year to learn about Australian democracy, history, and culture.
The Centre will take its place alongside other national institutions such as the Australian Parliament, the National War Memorial, the National Gallery, and the Australian Museum as a crucial educative experience for the next generation of young Australians.
Further, the Albanese Government will deliver $2 million to the Holocaust Institute of WA for the Holocaust Institute's Education Centre in Yokine to help upgrade the facility to world-class standards. The Prime Minister visited the community in 2024 and will visit again on International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
Educating school children and future generations on the Holocaust, how it came about and the roots of antisemitism is key to stamping out hatred, bigotry, and discrimination in our communities.
The National Centre in Canberra will also be available to the more than five million Australians who visit Canberra each year and will include access to exhibits and information explaining Jewish culture. It will honour and keep alive the stories of Holocaust survivors through culturally and emotionally sensitive storytelling.
The establishment of the National Holocaust Education Centre and the upgrade to the Holocaust Institute for WA's Education Centre adds to a significant list of commitments and investments by the Australian Government to combat antisemitism including:
- Establishing Special Operation Avalite respond to and investigate antisemitic attacks,
- A $57 million investment to improve safety and security at Jewish schools and synagogues,
- An $8.5 million investment to upgrade the Sydney Jewish Museum,
- $250,000 towards the replacement of Torah Scrolls housed in the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne,
- The appointment of a Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism, Ms Jillian Segal AO,
- An agreement of National Cabinet to establish a National Database to track antisemitic crime and other antisemitic incidents and behaviours. The Commonwealth will work with States and Territories on the development of the Database.
Quotes attributable to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:
"We must never forget the atrocities of the Holocaust.
"That's why my Government is making this investment in the National Holocaust Education Centre and in the Holocaust Institute of WA's Education Centre at the JHub.
"The Centre will serve to educate our young Australians about the horrors of the Holocaust and teach them from an early age that such prejudice, hatred and violence has no place here. Not now, not ever."
Quotes attributable to Senator for the ACT Katy Gallagher:
"Education and understanding is the key to eliminating hatred and bigotry, including the scourge of antisemitism.
"Our government recognises this, which is why we are so proud to be partnering with the ACT Jewish community to deliver this crucially important Centre.
"Canberra - as the heart of our nation - is the perfect location to build a national centre dedicated to the history of the Holocaust and future generations of Australians learn the vital lessons from this dark chapter."
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs Julian Hill:
"The promise of Australian multiculturalism is that great Australian promise of the fair go - that everyone has a fair crack at life here, no matter your ethnicity, faith, identity or life circumstances.
"There is no place in Australia for antisemitism, hatred or discrimination of any kind.
"By establishing the National Holocaust Education Centre, Australians will have the opportunity to learn about one of the darkest chapters in modern history and how the scourge of antisemitism continues to have an impact to this day - including in Australia."
Quotes attributable to Member for Perth Patrick Gorman:
"I am proud to have supported the JHub throughout construction, including the Holocaust Education Centre. This new funding will ensure the vision for this vital community centre can be fulfilled.
Local Holocaust education is essential to ensuring the horrors of the past are never repeated."
Quotes attributable to Member for Canberra Alicia Payne:
"I am pleased that our Government is supporting the establishment of a National Holocaust Education Centre in our nation's capital.
"Many Australian families have a connection to the Holocaust and a central location for all Australians to learn about the impact and the horrors of the Holocaust is critical for future education.
"I am proud to have advocated for this proposal from the ACT Jewish community, and I look forward to seeing their project come to fruition."
Quote attributable to Dr Mike Kelly AM, Member of National Holocaust Education Centre's project team:
"This announcement is tremendous news. It has come at a critically important time and will be great encouragement to Australia's Jewish community during a difficult period.
"Most importantly this project will make a critically important contribution to the national effort to reinforce social cohesion and build understanding.
"The location of the National Holocaust Education Centre in the nation's capital will enable the thousands of school children who visit Canberra every year to learn about the deep evil that racial discrimination can lead to and how this has affected many people around the world. It will also reinforce the importance of our democracy and the need to be well-informed citizens."
