Thursday, 5 February 2026

 Kat THEOPHANOUS (Northcote) (17:16): (1512) My adjournment is to the Minister for Education. I ask the minister to provide me with an update on what the Allan Labor government is doing to combat antisemitism through the education system. This week we rose to express our deep condolences to the victims of the antisemitic attack in Bondi, to their families and to the Jewish community across Australia who carry the weight of that evil crime. Two gunmen with hatred in their hearts turned what should have been a joy-filled celebration of Hanukkah into a deadly massacre. Fifteen innocent lives were lost, among them young Matilda, just 10 years old. It is impossible to say her name without feeling the enormity of what has been taken. Something shattered that day in Bondi. This beach which is so symbolic of our carefree, fun-loving, peaceful nation was suddenly the scene of violence and hatred beyond belief. But I want to be clear: this was not random violence. This was antisemitism in its most brutal form, and we must be honest about the context.

Antisemitism is not new. It is an ancient hatred that has endured for centuries, mutating, resurfacing and finding new language and new platforms. Sometimes it is subtle; increasingly it is overt, and it has permeated our society in ways that Jewish Australians have been warning about for years – rising hatred and vitriol against peaceful Jewish Australians simply going about their lives, alarmingly spreading far beyond the usual suspects of far right wing Nazi idolisers. Extreme views are increasingly platformed and normalised. Even in my own electorate I have seen it firsthand: antisemitic graffiti scrawled across buildings. I cannot even repeat the phrases; they are too disturbing. On my own office and other buildings, businesses are marked with symbols used by the terrorist organisation, Hamas. Jewish businesses, creatives and families are quietly relocating because they no longer feel safe where they once called home. These are not abstract incidents. These are real people, real communities, living in real fear. And it is shameful, the irresponsible behaviour of the Greens and socialists in this. They should be unequivocally condemning antisemitic behaviour. Instead, they contort in any way possible to deflect from it. Fifteen Australians were murdered in cold blood, and we see threats against Jews scrawled on our streets still.

Australia’s special envoy to combat antisemitism spoke to the need to better embed education about the Holocaust and modern antisemitism in schools to grow the crucial understanding that we need to counter prejudice. It is something Victoria has already been leading on, making it mandatory curriculum in high schools in our state. Education is a powerful tool. It dispels the false choice between caring for one community and caring for another. It replaces fear with knowledge, and it teaches that racism, bigotry and violence have no place here. May the memories of those lost in Bondi be a blessing, and may our response be worthy of them.