CSG, MHM host visiting politicians
Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus and Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil, joined by Macnamara MP Josh Burns, paid visits to two key Jewish community organisations in Melbourne last week.
TWO federal ministers, joined by Macnamara MP Josh Burns, paid visits to two key Jewish community organisations in Melbourne last week.
Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus and Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil visited the headquarters of the Community Security Group (CSG) Victoria to be briefed on the security challenges faced by the Jewish community.
During the visit, CSG CEO Justin Kagan gave a tour of the facilities, as well as briefing the visitors on the rise of organised far-right activities and the threats this presents.
Afterwards, O’Neil and Burns visited the Melbourne Holocaust Museum (MHM), where the Home Affairs Minister heard firsthand about the work being done to combat racism and antisemitism, and to promote multiculturalism and acceptance within the broader community.
They met with Holocaust child survivor Peter Gaspar, who related his experiences.
On his CSG visit, Dreyfus said the unit “provides vital support to the Melbourne Jewish community. Australia is a proudly diverse country that values and welcomes people of all faiths and none”.
“Hatred and racism are incompatible with Australia’s multicultural and democratic society, which is why I have introduced legislation that makes it a criminal offence to publicly display Nazi symbols or trade in items bearing these symbols.”
O’Neil added, “CSG does incredible work in partnership with law enforcement to keep our communities safe and monitor the spread of violent ideology.”
She described the MHM as “a place of learning and reflection for all Australians to understand the Holocaust and the consequences of racism and intolerance. Documenting those we lost in the Holocaust and those who survived has never been more vital”.
Burns, who invited his federal colleagues to visit the two organisations, said he did so “to demonstrate what’s at stake in the fight against antisemitism … The CSG and MHM both provide an invaluable service to our community”.
Kagan expressed his gratitude for the visit and highlighted the importance of such exchanges. “We are delighted to have had the opportunity to host the Attorney-General and Minister of Home Affairs. Their visit to the CSG signifies their commitment to addressing the challenges facing the Victorian Jewish community and support of the work CSG Victoria is doing to fight antisemitism.
“During their visit, the federal politicians were treated to a comprehensive tour of the CSG Victoria office, where they had the opportunity to witness our cutting-edge control centre and receive a detailed briefing on the latest threat assessment,” he said.
Noting the MHM also hosted recent visits by Victoria’s Minister for Multicultural Affairs Colin Brooks and state Labor MPs Ryan Batchelor and John Berger, MHM CEO Jayne Josem stated, “The support of both state and federal governments is a testament to the important work of the Melbourne Holocaust Museum in the social fabric of Victoria and Australia as a whole. Lessons from the Holocaust, powerfully delivered by Holocaust survivors and their artefacts, are a vital ingredient in our fight against antisemitism and racism.
“Some of the visiting politicians had the opportunity to see students engaging in learning in the space, delivered by our expert educators, and witness the impact of our program firsthand. They learnt about our goal to reach 35,000 students per annum in the coming years and a similar number of adult visitors. A sneak peek at the exhibition spaces, due to open in a few months, made them extremely keen to come back with their colleagues, and families, later this year.”
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