Following the terrorist attack at Bondi Beach last Sunday, Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has announced the establishment of a new task force on antisemitism, extremism and counterterrorism. Senator Paul Scarr says the task force must move quickly, with a key priority being the full and immediate implementation of the Special Envoy’s plan to combat antisemitism, and he joins me on the line this morning. Good Morning, Paul. How are you?
Senator Scarr
Good, Damo. How are you? Good to be with you and your listeners.
Damien Lee
Mate, I’m glad to talk to you. It’s great to get an insight into the Coalition’s plans, because obviously, we haven’t heard much from the Government, have we?
Senator Scarr
It has been disappointing that the Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism delivered her plan, which contained 49 recommendations, back in mid‑July, and the Government still hasn’t provided a formal response. The Coalition is absolutely determined to do everything we can to stamp out antisemitism in this country. There has been an explosion of antisemitism across Australia, including in Queensland, since the Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel on 7 October. We are determined to ensure those recommendations are implemented.
Damien Lee
That’s obviously why it is important for the Opposition to announce this task force right now?
Senator Scarr
Absolutely. That’s one of the key focuses of the task force, getting those recommendations implemented. Another focus relates to counterterrorism measures, because this was an act of terrorism. It was an act inspired by antisemitism and Islamic State ideology, and we must stamp it out.
Damien Lee
The Special Envoy made recommendations regarding migration policy, including screening visa applicants for antisemitic views or affiliations. Shouldn’t that be happening now?
Senator Scarr
Well, it’s a good question, Damo. A lot of people will be asking it, and the Coalition is asking it too. One of these individuals was on a watch list back in 2019, and his father, who was not an Australian citizen, held a gun licence and managed to accumulate six high‑powered firearms. There are serious questions about how this occurred, and those questions need to be answered.
Damien Lee
There were red flags even more recently, when they travelled to the Philippines, which is known as a training ground for terrorism.
Senator Scarr
Exactly. There is a part of the Philippines that is a terrorist training hotspot. It has links to the perpetrators of the horrific Bali bombing, which took the lives of dozens of Australians. From what New South Wales Police have said, these two individuals travelled to that region shortly before committing this atrocity.
Damien Lee
Paul, I know you’re an advocate for immigration and our multicultural communities. You’re obviously not suggesting we stop immigration, but rather that we need to be more thorough in finding out who these people are.
Senator Scarr
Well, we should never have gotten to this point. Josh Frydenberg said yesterday—very passionately, with tears in his eyes, that Australia’s Jewish communities have been let down by the Government. Josh is a phenomenal leader and was a great Treasurer. He guided the country through the COVID period, and since leaving Parliament, he has been a strong advocate for doing more to protect our Jewish community. He has been calling for action for the last two years, since the attacks on 7 October, and even made a documentary highlighting its importance. His frustration was clear in that remarkable speech yesterday, it summed everything up.
Damien Lee
If you can get this task force created, what sort of powers are you hoping it will have?
Senator Scarr
A foundation of our policy must be that anyone who comes to our country believes in Australian values, obeying the law and respecting the rights and liberties of all Australians. That is the first hurdle. What happened at Bondi on Sunday was a desecration of those values and of our way of life. When I went to Bondi on Tuesday and spoke with members of the Jewish community, the grief was overwhelming. Some are even considering leaving Australia and moving to Israel. It is heartbreaking. From our perspective, this task force is about pressuring the Government to act. First on that list is implementing the 49 recommendations from the Antisemitism Special Envoy’s report. Then we must look at counterterrorism measures and border integrity. Everyone who receives a temporary, provisional or permanent visa signs an undertaking to obey Australian laws and respect Australian values. That must be enforced. There must be consequences when people engage in antisemitic rhetoric or hate speech. Visas should be cancelled and individuals removed from the country. There must be consequences. We have to stamp this out.
Damien Lee
Paul, before we let you go, obviously the Jewish community is concerned, and so are most Australians. No one wants to see this happen, and we are shocked beyond belief that a terrorist attack took place at Bondi Beach, a place where families go to enjoy themselves. What are we saying to Australians? Do they have confidence in our Government and security forces?
Senator Scarr
Well, Damo, the only way the Government can secure the confidence of the people is by taking real action, and for Australians, particularly the Jewish community, to see that action happening. Number one on that list is implementing the recommendations in the Antisemitism Special Envoy’s report, recommendations the Government has had since July.
Damien Lee
Unfortunately, it’s going to be a harder job because it has been left to grow into a major issue within our community.
Senator Scarr
That’s the tragedy.
