My family came to Australia fleeing the darkness of antisemitism. This country has been a safe haven for the Jewish people and for so many others. A country of diversity, of opportunity, of multiculturalism. And over the last 10 months that really has been challenged, it's a pressured time where people have lashed out at one another. But this conflict overseas is not a license to fight in our communities here. We must remember the things that make Australia the most wonderful country in the world, that is our diversity and our multiculturalism. And I'm really pleased to be here with my colleagues and, of course, the Prime Minister, here today to make these really important about ensuring that every person can practice their dignity in peace in this country.
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Thank you very much, Josh. And thank you for the extraordinarily constructive way in which you're contributing, not just in my team as a member of the Labor Government, but to your local community in Melbourne, but also to the wider political discourse in Australia, promoting harmony and social inclusion, regardless of people's faith, regardless of who people are, regardless of their identity. You are someone who has been an absolute champion. Now, I want all Australians, regardless of their race or religion, to feel safe and at home here in Australia. That is the great multicultural society that we are bringing here. And I note here at this Jewish museum, it promotes support for anti-discrimination, whether it be not just against Jewish people, but even on the basis of people's sexuality as well. It is important that we combat discrimination in all of its forms. We have seen since October 7 last year a significant rise in Antisemitism in Australia. And that is why the Government has made the decision to appoint a Special Envoy on Antisemitism. And I'm very pleased that Jillian Segal has agreed to take up that role. Jillian has wide experience across our nation, but in particular as a proud member of the Sydney Jewish community and as someone who will bring that experience she has in the business community, serving on boards, engaging with government as well as with the community, to this role. It's important that as part of those ongoing efforts to promote social cohesion, that Jillian will advise myself and the Immigration and Multicultural Affairs Minister, but also engage with the community about how we can raise education. One of the things that I have found quite shocking is the lack of knowledge and experience about Antisemitism and about where it leads. This museum tragically goes through historically, leading to the Holocaust of course, exactly where this hatred can lead. I have spoken with members of the Jewish community here, in Melbourne, right around Australia, who have not felt safe. Members of the Jewish community whose children are worried about wearing their school uniform in our capital cities. That's not acceptable. Not acceptable ever, and certainly not in Australia in 2024. The rise of social media has seen people thinking that they can take what are complex issues and convert them into 100 characters and to make statements that they never would face to face. We're not having enough discourse in Australia which is civil. And the sort of slogans which are used have caused great damage and often come from a position of ignorance. What we need to do is to make sure that the conflict that is occurring in the Middle East, that has caused a great deal of grief for the Jewish community, for members of the Islamic and Palestinian communities, Australians overwhelmingly do not want conflict brought here. What they want here is harmony and for people to be able to get on with each other. I've often, part of my stump speech at citizenship ceremonies is that Australia can be a microcosm for the world. In my community in Marrickville, you have people of, and I see some of my constituents here, Uri here, I don't know if you're still a constituent, but you know, people of Jewish, Islamic, Greek Orthodox, Hindus, Buddhists, all living side-by-side, enriched by our diversity, benefiting from the culture, the language, the food, the dancing, the music, the celebration of what we have built here in Australia. What's clear is that we can't take that for granted. What's clear is that we continue to reinforce the need for social harmony, and that's what today's announcement of Jillian is all about. This builds on the other initiatives that we've made of some $90 million to address social cohesion across, including safety issues as well, increased security that's been required. We know that this is necessary and shortly we'll also be announcing an Envoy on Islamophobia. That will be important as well, playing a similar role, working with that community to promote social cohesion. I'm very proud to be the Prime Minister of Australia. We are the best country on earth. But we need to continue to reinforce what are our greatest attributes, and that is respect for each other, respect for diversity, a place where people are valued regardless of their gender, their faith, their race, their sexuality, regardless of who they are. A country where every person feels that they can just declare who they are and not be concerned that somehow that is going to be subject then to attack, to comments that are inappropriate, or in some cases of course, it can lead to violence. I think that what is occurring here needs a stop. When you have the war memorials, for example, desecrated, as they were a short time ago, I just shake my head at how that can occur in Australia in 2024. We are a place where, as a democracy, we encourage people to be able to have different views and to discuss these issues respectfully. But that's the key word here - 'respect'. And that's something that I have for Jillian Segel as a person, someone I've got to know, particularly in recent times, as someone who I've admired her work, someone who's worked with all of the communities who make up this great nation for a long period of time. And that's why this is an idea whose time has come. The appointment is for three years. We hope that there's not a need to have ongoing work, but it has been a reminder over recent months that we just can't take that respect and social cohesion for granted. We need to nourish it, we need to cherish it, we need to celebrate it and we need to support it. And that's what this role will do. I'll hand to Andrew Giles, the Minister, and then we'll hear from Jillian, and then we're happy to take some questions.
ANDREW GILES, MINISTER FOR IMMIGRATION, CITIZENSHIP AND MULTICULTURAL AFFAIRS: Thanks very much, Prime Minister. As we arrived here this morning, we had the privilege of hearing from and meeting with Yvonne, a 96 year old Holocaust survivor. Yvonne spoke about her journey to this place and what it has meant. Her story is a powerful reminder of how important it is that we don't take the successes of our multicultural society for granted. We don't ignore the warning signs that are most shockingly exhibited by the rise in antisemitism. It's for Yvonne and her experience, what it signifies more broadly, that makes disappointment so significant. I'm very pleased to be part of a team that recognises not only the great strength that we have in our multiculturalism, but the fact that we can't take it for granted. The fact that our great achievement as a modern society, a country where our diversity is recognised as a great strength, can't ignore the threats to that diversity. Those threats are real and they come in many forms. Consistently though, we need to show leadership, as the Prime Minister has shown leadership that's based on a fundamental principle that everyone in this society must belong. Everyone must be able to practice their faith, to go about their business without fear, without intimidation, to feel respected, to feel valued. That is what this is all about. And, of course, the other appointment the Prime Minister pointed to as well, in terms of also combating Islamophobia. Knowing a bit about Jillian Segal, she is not only an accomplished lawyer who has given so much to public service, she is a person of unflinching principle and unwavering strengthen. I think in times like these, having the opportunity to appoint Jillian to this Special Envoy role is a great privilege. I have absolutely no doubt she will do this community and our nation and our social cohesion great service. Jillian, I'm very pleased to work with you and I really look forward to hearing from you now.
JILLIAN SEGAL, SPECIAL ENVOY TO COMBAT ANTISEMITISM: Well, thank you very much, Prime Minister and Minister Giles, for this great honour and for your words. I almost feel that you've said it all, Prime Minister, nothing left to say. But I'll just express some of my thoughts for the benefit of all of you here. Can I just also acknowledge the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation and pay my respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging. And can I also acknowledge any Holocaust, we know we have one Holocaust survivor with us, can I acknowledge her and any other descendants of Holocaust survivors with us today. I feel humbled and privileged to have been appointed to this role and to accept this appointment here in the Sydney Jewish Museum, a place that so powerfully showcases Jewish life and contribution in this country, and also, as the Prime Minister said, reminds us of what is at stake in the fight against Antisemitism. And thank you to the Sydney Jewish Museum staff and executives for making this wonderful place available. As an Australian, I have experienced the best of humanity. Our country, as we've just heard, is marked by a kind and compassionate people, a basic belief in the dignity of each human and the pursuit of equality and opportunity for all. Many of us come from immigrant backgrounds, mine included, and we have all looked to Australia as a land of fairness, justice, education and dignity. These values are deeply-rooted in Jewish belief and tradition. But history and the Jewish experience throughout history, including the Holocaust, which is showcased here so well, tells us, as we've heard, but as needs to be constantly remembered, we need to be vigilant to protect our tolerant and peaceful way of life. Antisemitism erodes all that is good and healthy in a society. As such, it poses a threat not just to the Jewish community, but to our entire nation. Antisemitism is an age old hatred. It has the capacity to lie dormant through good times and then in times of crisis like pandemic, which we've experienced, economic downturn, war, it awakens, it triggers the very worst instincts in an individual to fear, to blame others for life's misfortunes and to hate. And it is often based on misinformation, on inaccurate rumour. And it can spread from individual to individual to contaminate the collective, damaging life for the entire community and leading to violence as we have seen. The Jewish community in this country can be traced to the very first beginnings of European settlement and the First Fleet. We have been blessed to live in a country with no history of Antisemitic laws or institutional persecution of Jewish Australians. But the world is changing. Indeed, it has changed. And the rapid dissemination of ideas, as the Prime Minister mentioned, through social media, means that Antisemitic ideas that once took years to spread can instantly be conveyed and absorbed. The pandemic changed our world. Its legacy is a greater capacity to accept conspiracy theories and disinformation over facts and expert opinions. October 7 changed our world as well. And all over the world, Antisemitism has become normalised and this is very dangerous for us all. The statistics on Antisemitism in Australia right now are shocking and confronting. Immediately after October 7, they were up 700 per cent on what existed previously, but they are still disturbing and confronting 400 per cent to 500 per cent higher than previously. But, of course, we need to look beyond the numbers. We see the individuals whose lives have been impacted in tragic and profound ways. Jewish parents, as we've heard, worried about sending their children to school. Jewish artists, authors, musicians subjected to exclusion and shadow bans. Jewish members of the LGBT community excluded. We see small business owners who have lost their livelihoods to boycotts and vandalism. And all this affects the vibrancy and cohesion of the community more generally. And this is not the Australia we want. This is not the Australia we expect. Unfortunately, there is no single answer to the perennial problem of Antisemitism. But the creation of this role shows a determination by the Government to confront this evil and to ensure that it does not erode the goodness that exists in our society. It will require a national strategy, coordination between communities and all levels of government, education on what Antisemitism looks like today, and deeper engagement between the Jewish and non-Jewish communities. But I am optimistic that with such measures and our proud Australian history of a tolerant, multicultural society, that we can have a positive impact on this hatred and rebuild social cohesion. I look forward to working with the Government on all these aspects, as well as with many other organisations and people of goodwill and also other envoys overseas. I'm honoured to be given this opportunity to serve my country and my community, and it's an enormous privilege and I will seek to discharge it faithfully. Thank you.
PRIME MINISTER: Well, thanks so much, Jillian. And I think you can see why, everyone here, can see why you were an outstanding choice and I thank you for agreeing to take on this role. It's not something that you need to do in your life, it's something that you want to do as part of your contribution to our great nation. Happy to take some questions.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, you've been accused not just by members of the Opposition, but members of the Jewish community, Holocaust survivors, of not taking a strong enough leadership and sending these messages when it comes to the conflict in Gaza and Antisemitism. Do you take responsibility for contributing to the rise of Antisemitism?
PRIME MINISTER: It's a fairly provocative question. What I take responsibility for is my actions, which has been principled. My actions have opposed the decision, the actions, the terrorist action of Hamas on October 7. I was on Insiders at 9am on the Sunday morning. I had already spoken to the Israeli Ambassador to Australia who was in Israel at the time. We condemned it unequivocally. When Parliament met, Parliament carried a motion that was bipartisan and supported by both the Coalition and by Labor as well. Every member went through the House of Representatives. We have consistently opposed the slaughter that occurred on October 7, the greatest killing of Jewish people since the Holocaust. We have consistently, as well, expressed our concern for the loss of every innocent life, whether it be Israeli or Palestinian. We have called for the release of hostages. We have supported a ceasefire in order to advance security and peaceful people in the Middle East. We have consistently supported a two state solution, one which is necessary for the security of both Israelis and Palestinians to be able to live in peace and security going forward. We've been strong supporters of the United States peace plan and have called upon all parties to agree to it. It's important that that occur. And social cohesion is not advanced by thinking this is a football team where you're cheering for one team or another. Social cohesion is advanced by taking a principal position, which is what we have done from day one. And that, again, in the resolution that was carried in the House of Representatives last week, is the same. We have called out Antisemitism whenever we have seen it, consistent with my view, more than or around about twenty years years ago, of leading a campaign against the BDS campaign and pointing out why the targeting of businesses, because they happen to be owned by people who were Jewish was entirely inappropriate - and that's something I've consistently done. I've been a consistent opponent of racism my whole political life, regardless of who it is directed towards, consistent with my view that human rights need to be respected for everyone across our society. That's my job as Prime Minister, and it's a job that I'm quite proud of the way that I'm fulfilling it.
JOURNALIST: Documents have been submitted to the WA Supreme Court alleging that Penny Wong, Tanya Plibersek and Katy Gallagher were fed false information by Brittany Higgins and David Sharaz in order to question Senator Linda Reynolds at question time. Do you accept that this occurred?
PRIME MINISTER: You've answered your own question when you spoke about documents before the court. I have no intention, and I don't need to have Jillian's legal qualifications to know why it's inappropriate, to comment. And I'm sure that you know that that is the answer.
JOURNALIST: Will the Government support a judicial inquiry into Antisemitism at Australian universities, as the Coalition has been asking for?
PRIME MINISTER: No, what we're doing is acting. We're appointing an envoy. We have had, we're very clearly aware of what has occurred. You don't need an inquiry to know that there's been a rise of Antisemitism at some of the universities. The placing of the Hamas symbol outside or on my electorate office, signalling it's a target for terrorist activity, is a bit more than just a sign. It's not something that should not be taken seriously, it's something that's real and it's something that we are taking action on.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, on issues like the war in Gaza. Would you consider giving Government MPs a conscious vote on those issues or the ability to abstain or not vote with the caucus?
PRIME MINISTER: We have in the Labor Party a collective responsibility. The Labor Party was formed so that working people could advance their interests against more powerful interests in our society. And that's why working people, the same reason why working people join trade unions, so that they can take action together going forward. We take action together going forward. And I must say, our 103 members of our caucus are on exactly the same page on these issues. Exactly the same page. And that is how you talk things through with proper debate, and that's how governments function. Were a government to go in different directions about a range of issues, then the headlines every day in the newspapers would be the lack of coherence in the government. And I do find it quite ironical, some of the journos who've been advocating this, who I'm sure would be consistent with the views that they've held forever. We're a very democratic party. My cabinet operates effectively where people come along and can say whatever they like, similarly in the caucus. And there's been a range of debates in the caucus, including on these issues, as well as working things through, but with a common position. The Labor Party's position of support for the state of Israel and support for a two state solution with Palestinians being able to realise the legitimate aspirations they have for their own state side-by-side with Israel, is something that has been there for a long period of time. I myself have moved the resolutions at national conference on at least two occasions, going back a long period of time. So there's nothing surprising about the position that we have taken. It's a position of principle. And for those who advocate a one state solution, which some on both sides of the debate have done, is, in my view, counterproductive to the interests of both Israelis and Palestinians.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, there are media reports last week said that the Israeli ambassador was given a dressing down because Israel had to fight Hezbollah and the Government didn't want to support it. Given that Hezbollah started the war already on 8 October and Israel is fighting a defensive war in the north. If it has to defend itself more forcefully, does it have the support of its ally, Australia?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, what we support is more peace and less conflict. That's what we support. And we have called consistently, just as the United States has. Just as the United States has. There's nothing to be gained from an escalation of conflict in the region that brings in Hezbollah, Iran and other parties to the region. What we want is an end to the conflict. We want the hostages released. We want to make sure that Hamas are removed from influence in the region, and we want the international community to play a role in the objective of a two state solution.
JOURNALIST: Just on Hamas being dismantled. Mehreen Faruqi made some pretty controversial comments at the weekend refusing to call for their dismantlement. Is it time for Labor to stop preferencing the Greens?
PRIME MINISTER: Look, the Greens position on this has been appalling. And the motion that they moved in the parliament that effectively just referred to one state, Palestine, being recognised by the Senate, I'm not sure the Senate's ever recognised a state anywhere. Governments recognise states, not the Senate. But the problem with that resolution was amplified by Senator Faruqi's interview with David Speers on Sunday, which is, she just couldn't answer how you get there. She couldn't answer whether Hamas should play an ongoing role, whether it should be dismantled. She had the statement that said, she had the statement that Palestinians should self-determine what happens in the region. It was unclear whether that meant, you know, one state from the Jordan River to the sea and what the implications of that were for Israel's right to exist. At one stage, she said she did support two states. But it seems to me that it's a pretty easy question, frankly, for someone who's a Senator to answer, which is that if a Senator is asked 'do they support a terrorist organisation?', she acknowledged it was a terrorist organisation and she said she didn't seek to change that, should continue to play a role and somehow that was up to someone else. Seems to me it was pretty clear what she should have answered, which is that Hamas has no role. You know, terrorism and what we saw on October 7 doesn't lead to anything other than trauma, devastation, tragedy, loss of life and an alienation from all of, any people who are just thinking, people who have a look at what happened on October 7, and we can't forget that that occurred. And that's not to, I don't discount at all, and we've expressed in statements, including statements I've made with the Prime Minister of New Zealand and the Prime Minister of Canada, my concern about some of the actions that have led to an unacceptable loss of innocent life in Gaza. We made clear that we did not support actions in Rafah because of what would occur. I don't say one different message here from what I would say somewhere else as well. We have been consistent in our view, consistent for our call. And there has been no criticism from the Greens whatsoever of Hamas's refusal to accept, which they should have, the proposal of President Biden is one that would see a ceasefire in the region. How is it that there's been no criticism whatsoever of that? Just as the Greens political party have not called out the actions that have occurred in targeting people because they are Jewish. Deborah Conway is not responsible for the actions of the Netanyahu Government, nor are people who are Jewish, any more than anyone of one group is responsible for the leadership of another country. Australia is not a big player in the Middle East. You would think from some of the campaign that has occurred that Australia is directly involved and some of the misinformation that has been perpetrated by the Greens, for example, about defence issues is simply wrong. That's bad, but what's really bad is that they know that it's wrong. They know that it's wrong and they continue to spread it.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, a question for Jillian. Jillian, are you going to a conference next week regarding the Envoy Combatting Antisemitism?
SPECIAL ENVOY TO COMBAT ANTISEMITISM: Yes, there is an international conference in Argentina next week and I will be leaving on the weekend to attend it, along with all Antisemitism Envoys around the world, as well as a number of politicians. All there, firstly, to commemorate and mark thirty years since the bombing of the community centre in Buenos Aires, but also to talk about what each country is doing, ideas for combating Antisemitism and strategies. And the Antisemitism Envoy or Ambassador from the United States, Deborah Lipstadt, will be one of the keynote speakers. And I look forward to meeting them all, learning from them and bringing back thoughts and ideas, Australianising them as I think we need to, and talking to the Prime Minister and Minister Giles about it.
JOURNALIST: Jillian, on Antisemitism and what it means. The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance says it's a certain perception of Jews which could be expressed as hatred towards Jews. Do you agree with that definition and do you think those types of definitions should be included in new hate speech laws?
SPECIAL ENVOY TO COMBAT ANTISEMITISM: Well, I think that we do need some clarity. We need guidance. The IHRA definition is a useful tool, but I'm going to hold my thoughts about all the legislative reform that might be needed or not needed until I've got my feet under the desk and I can do a serious review. I do think we have a very good suite of legislation already. It needs to be utilised, but there are new areas, such as doxing, that needs to also be looked at. And I know that the government has that on its agenda.
JOURNALIST: Do you think there should be a judicial inquiry into Antisemitism at universities?
SPECIAL ENVOY TO COMBAT ANTISEMITISM: I don't think that I'm qualified at this point to comment on that. I want to get across the brief. I'm pretty conscious of what's going on at universities. I'm not sure, as the Prime Minister said, what an inquiry will achieve, but it may achieve something. I just would like to consider it all once I'm in the role.
JOURNALIST: What do you think will be your first chief task in this role?
SPECIAL ENVOY TO COMBAT ANTISEMITISM: First chief task is to go to Argentina and meet everyone. Well, I'll need to set up an office and work out, you know, exactly what assistance I need. I intend to set up some consultations and go and talk to people both in the Jewish community around the country, in the non-Jewish community, and gain the benefit of their thoughts and wisdom. And then I will speak to the Prime Minister and Mister Giles. And as I said, we need a strategic plan across governments to look at the issue and deal with it as best we can.
PRIME MINISTER: Thank you. We brought forward the announcement to make sure that Jillian could go to the conference. Last one.
JOURNALIST: Unemployment is low, figures out today are expected to show underemployment is on the rise. Are you concerned people with jobs are struggling to make ends meet?
PRIME MINISTER: Look, we have created on our watch 880,000 jobs, most of them overwhelmingly, they have been full time. In particular, majority of them have been filled by women. And importantly as well, we're seeing real wages increase for the first time, aided by the very conscious decisions we've made to support feminised industries such as aged care, with the substantial increase in pay which was there. And we'll have more to say in coming months as well on early learning educators. Last week we had a tax cut for every single one of those workers and every taxpayer in Australia. So combine the increase in wages with tax cuts, people are earning more and keeping more of what they earn, which has been a big priority for us. Now this week, people will start getting pay packets as well and they'll notice the difference. And that's necessary because we know that many Australians are doing it very tough. Bearing in mind when we announced the changes to the tax cuts to reconfigure them, to make sure that low and middle income earners were the priority, the opposition said they'd oppose it before they saw it. Then they said they'd roll it back, and then they said we should have an election over it. Well, we're very proud of what started on July 1. Like, we're proud as well of, our Energy Price Relief Plan, our cheaper child care, our freezing of Medicare Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme payments as well. All of those measures are aimed at providing cost of living support without putting pressure on inflation. That's the big challenge that the global economy is going through. It's not just Australia, this has been a global phenomenon, in part as a result of the illegal Russian invasion of Ukraine.
And I might conclude by making some comments about that as well. We have seen overnight the targeting of a school by Russia, once again a completely unacceptable action. At least twenty people have been killed across Ukraine as they slammed into a children's hospital in Kyiv, as well as buildings in Kryvyi Rih, which is President Zelenskyy's home city. These Russian missile attacks on several Ukrainian cities, including the children's hospital, are just abhorrent. Russia's actions continue to shock the world. At the NATO Summit, where Richard Marles is representing Australia, no doubt this will be a topic as well. But it is time, well past time, for Vladimir Putin to end this conflict. We condemn the targeting of civilian infrastructure that's hurting hospitals, schools, and a range of infrastructure targets in such a reckless way. Australia can be very proud that we've contributed over a billion dollars to the efforts of the Ukrainian people, who've shown extraordinary courage. They're standing up for the international rule of law, which is absolutely vital. And we're proud to continue to support the Ukrainian people in standing up their national sovereignty and for that international rule of law. Because their struggle is very relevant for the whole world as we go forward.
Thank you very much. Today, can I particularly acknowledge Yvonne, the fact Yvonne is still here, a 96 year-old Holocaust survivor who greeted us here this morning and we are honoured by her presence in particular. Thank you.
