Meeting of National Cabinet

National Cabinet met virtually today to reaffirm that Leaders are united in working together to stamp antisemitism out - and keep it out.

The Prime Minister today convened a meeting of National Cabinet to address the shocking rise of antisemitic hate crimes.

Australian Federal Police Commissioner, Reece Kershaw, briefed the meeting on the latest police intelligence. Since AFP Operation Avalite was established by Prime Minister Albanese, the AFP has received 166 reports, with 15 under investigation. One person has been arrested to date.

Under New South Wales' Strike Force Pearl, established by Premier Minns, three men - aged 20, 19 and 21 - have been charged after ten vehicles and buildings were deliberately damaged in Woollahra in November 2024.

36 people have been charged with antisemitic related offences, including eight people charged with 59 offences.

Four men - aged 31, 27, 40 and 26 - have been charged following suspicious fires at two businesses in Bondi in October 2024.

A woman - aged 34 - was charged after vehicles and buildings were deliberately damaged in Woollahra in December 2024.

Under Operation Park in Victoria, established by Premier Allan, 70 arrests have been made.

The Prime Minister reaffirmed that the full resources of the AFP and federal intelligence agencies stand ready to assist the efforts of Strike Force Pearl, Operation Shelter and Operation Park, and actions by other State and Territory Governments, as has been occurring to date.

Leaders agreed today to establish a National Database to track antisemitic crime and other antisemitic incidents and behaviours. The Commonwealth will work with States and Territories on the development of the Database.

The purpose of one national reporting system is to better inform and coordinate responses to antisemitic incidents.

National Cabinet agreed that Commonwealth, State and Territory Attorneys-General will work to ensure best practice is shared across jurisdictions with Victoria and New South Wales leading this work.

The Prime Minister, State Premiers and Chief Ministers unequivocally condemn antisemitism and reaffirmed to stamp it out in Australia.

Today's announcements build on previous Australian Government measures including:

• Setting up AFP Special Operation Avalite to crack down on antisemitism, threats, violence and hatred towards the Australian Jewish community.
• Introducing a landmark ban on the Nazi salute and hate symbols which came into effect in January 2024.
• Appointing Jillian Segal AO as Australia's first Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism.
• Criminalising doxxing - the malicious release of personal information.
• Legislating to appoint Australia's first National Student Ombudsman.
• Committing $25 million for improved safety and security at Jewish sites across the country, including schools, in the weeks following the 7 October terrorist attack.
• Funding an additional $32.5 million for security measures for schools and synagogues.
• $250,000 towards the replacement and restoration of Torah Scrolls housed in the Adass Israel Synagogue.
• Introducing legislation to Parliament to criminalise hate speech, including the urging or threatening of force or violence against individuals or groups because of who they are or what they believe.
• Referred antisemitism in Australian universities to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights for inquiry.
• The Australian Government has also declared a Child Care Subsidy period of emergency for the Only About Children Maroubra child care centre, which guarantees funding support from the Commonwealth during this period.
• The Australian and the New South Wales Governments have also agreed to cover any costs to rebuild the child care centre that aren't covered by insurance on a 50-50 basis.

In addition State Governments have introduced a range of measures aimed at stopping antisemitism.

This media statement has been agreed by First Ministers and serves as a record of meeting outcomes.

Anthony Albanese MP
Prime Minister

Chris Minns MP
Premier of New South Wales

Jacinta Allan MP
Premier of Victoria

David Crisafulli MP
Premier of Queensland

Roger Cook MLA
Premier of Western Australia

Peter Malinauskas MP
Premier of South Australia

Guy Barnett MP
Acting Premier of Tasmania

Andrew Barr MLA
Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory

Lia Finocchiaro MLA
Chief Minister of the Northern Territory

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