Tuesday, 26 August 2025

Ministers statements: community safety

Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:07): I can advise the house that earlier today I was briefed by the Prime Minister regarding the Adass Israel Synagogue terrorist investigation and its extraordinary implications for our national security. For the first time since World War II the Australian government has expelled an ambassador, and we support this decision without reservation, just as we have supported the joint investigation every step of the way.

I will start by saying that this is an ongoing investigation and there are still some facts that we do not know, but here is what we do know. In December last year terrorism shattered the peace in Melbourne and destroyed a synagogue built by Holocaust survivors. The target of this act of terror was Victoria’s Jewish community. I visited Adass Israel Synagogue twice in the days after that attack. I will never forget the smell of burnt books, I will never forget the burns on their hands and I will never forget thinking just how close this came to being a mass casualty event. My anger at the perpetrators of this act of terror will never, ever subside.

I spoke to Benjamin Klein from Adass Israel earlier today, and he shared with me the complex trauma that this beautiful community are experiencing. I sent him and the entire Adass Israel community the love and support of all Victorians. The fear the Jewish community are feeling after this news is real and intense. Let me say this: when you inflict hurt and pain on one, you inflict it on all. This attack was not just an attack on Victoria’s Jewish community; it was an attack on all Victorians. I say this to the Jewish community: your safety is our safety; we stand with you; we stand with your right to pray in peace and your right to live in this state in safety.