The Albanese Labor government has committed $30 million (US$19 million) to restore the Adass Israel Synagogue and community centre in Ripponlea, Victoria, following a devastating firebomb attack in December 2024.
“We will also provide up to $1.2 million for security upgrades to the existing buildings, which are set to reopen this year,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a statement.
The funding will be reflected in the budget, to be announced on March 25.
The statement also confirmed an additional $250,000, which had already been allocated to replace and restore Torah scrolls housed within the synagogue.
“There can be no place in Australia for anti-Semitism,” it added.
The government’s announcement follows a similar pledge from Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, who on March 17 vowed to provide $35 million for the restoration of the Adass Israel Synagogue if the Coalition wins office.
Speaking at the closed site in Melbourne’s Ripponlea, Dutton promised the refurbishment would make the synagogue “bigger and better” than before.
“We want to bring it back to life. Much bigger and better than what it was. That is a symbolic response to those people who have hate in their hearts,” he said.
Dutton has also vowed to make anti-Semitism grounds for cancelling visas and rejecting new applications if elected.
Government’s Broader Crackdown on Antisemitism
Amid a sharp rise in anti-Semitic incidents in Australia following the Oct. 7 attacks, the federal government underscored its recent actions to tackle the issue.In its statement, the prime minister’s office highlighted the establishment of Operation Avalite with the Australian Federal Police to address anti-Semitic incidents and the imposition of new counter-terrorism financing sanctions on Terrorgram.
The government has also introduced a national ban on Nazi salutes and hate symbols, carrying penalties of up to one year in prison and fines of up to $16,500.
Additionally, it has criminalised doxxing—the malicious publication of personal information—a measure that the Opposition voted against.
To further bolster protections, the government is working with states and territories on a national database to track and coordinate responses to anti-Semitic incidents.
Since the Oct. 7 terrorist attack in Israel, it has committed $25 million to enhance security at Jewish sites, including schools, and allocated an additional $32.5 million for security measures at synagogues and other religious institutions.
More than $100 million has also been pledged to counter violent extremism.
