Under mounting pressure, Albanese convenes national cabinet to address a wave of anti-Semitic attacks across Australia

 Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called a meeting of the national cabinet after facing intense pressure to respond to a troubling spike in anti-Semitic attacks across Australia. The decision follows the latest incident in Maroubra, Sydney, where a childcare centre was set alight and defaced with anti-Semitic graffiti, marking yet another attack in a series of hate crimes targeting Jewish communities.

The Prime Minister’s office confirmed the meeting would take place this evening, as the nation grapples with a growing wave of anti-Semitic incidents. This latest attack follows a troubling pattern, including a terror strike on a Melbourne synagogue, an attempted arson at another Sydney synagogue, and the vandalisation of Jewish community properties. The federal government had previously resisted calls for a national cabinet, even after the outbreak of the Gaza conflict and pro-Palestinian protests outside the Sydney Opera House last year. But mounting pressure from Jewish advocacy groups, including the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ), and the government’s own anti-Semitism envoy, Jillian Segal, has finally prompted action.

Ms Segal, who had previously urged the government to toughen bail and sentencing laws for anti-Semitic offences, welcomed the Prime Minister’s decision. In her statement, she expressed hope for meaningful legal reforms to address the increasing tide of hate crimes against Jewish communities.

Despite the growing calls for urgent action, the government has resisted implementing mandatory sentencing, a point of contention between Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton. While Dutton has criticised the Prime Minister for his slow response, he now stresses the need for tangible outcomes from the meeting, emphasizing the importance of achieving lasting reforms to combat anti-Semitism.

“There’s no point having a meeting for the sake of ticking a box,” Dutton said, stressing that the meeting must lead to substantive changes. The federal government is working closely with the New South Wales state government to repair the damage caused by the arson attack in Maroubra, while ensuring that the affected families continue to receive support through subsidies.

Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi has also weighed in, condemning the violence and calling for efforts to address racism at its root. Meanwhile, NSW Premier Chris Minns has pledged to push for stronger legislation, including tougher sentencing and bail conditions for those convicted of anti-Semitic acts. A meeting of Australian attorneys-general is set for early next month to discuss proposed legal reforms.

The question of whether mandatory minimum sentences should be applied to anti-Semitic offences has sparked ongoing debate. While the Albanese government has resisted such measures, arguing they may be counterproductive, the continued escalation of hate crimes has prompted calls for more decisive action. Acknowledging the urgency of the situation, Albanese has indicated that the government will take all necessary measures to combat anti-Semitism, though he remains cautious about mandatory sentencing.

The national cabinet meeting tonight represents a critical juncture in Australia’s response to the rising tide of anti-Semitism. With the support of state governments, advocacy groups, and political leaders, the meeting could set the stage for far-reaching legislative and policy changes aimed at curbing hate crimes and protecting Jewish communities across the nation.