Federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has committed $8.5 million to support the expansion of the Sydney Jewish Museum if elected.
Dutton made the announcement to the Jewish community during an address following the Oct. 7 anniversary of the Hamas attacks.
“As one measure, a Coalition government will commit $8.5 million to support the expansion of the Sydney Jewish Museum. Every Australian child, through their education, will understand the evils of the past and the evils of the present,” he said.
Dutton also promised a judicial inquiry into anti-semitism on university campuses.
“The Jewish community deserves no less. And we will ensure that young Australians are equipped with a shield of knowledge to deflect Jewish hatred,” he added.
Jewish student and staff unions have demanded an inquiry into rising anti-semitism on university campuses following the terrorist incident.
Noah Loven, a representative from the Australian Union of Jewish Students, urged a Senate Committee chaired by Labor Senator Nita Green to recognise the severity of the situation.
“Jewish students are avoiding campus, fearing for their safety, with many removing identifiable Jewish symbols,” Loven said, calling the situation “untenable” and urging universities to take immediate action.
The Oct. 7 Hamas attack, the deadliest assault on Jews since the Holocaust, killed approximately 1,200 Israelis. In retaliation, Israel’s counteroffensive on Hamas has resulted in over 41,000 Palestinian deaths, according to the Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry.
This surge in violence has exacerbated tensions, both globally and within Australia, with Jewish students reporting new levels of hostility.
Professor Steven Prawer, a senior academic at the University of Melbourne, shared his own experience of being targeted due to his collaboration with the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Prawer recalled being evacuated from his office by security after students identified him.
Dutton added that over the past year, he has visited Israel and attended many meetings with local Jews in Australia to understand their pain. “And I can tell you what I’ve seen in every case: I’ve seen the Jewish spirit at play.”
Recently, the Coalition rejected a motion brought forward to commemorate the Oct. 7 incident, saying it was too broad.
“The motion includes language stressing the need to break the cycle of violence and supporting international efforts for de-escalation, a ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon, and lasting peace for Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, and the region,” Dutton said.
He argued that the motion should focus solely on commemorating the 1,200 Israeli lives lost in the attacks by Hamas.
“This was meant to commemorate the loss of human life, but the prime minister is attempting to cater to both sides, which we cannot support.”
