Government commits additional funding for Jewish security

The federal government will provide an additional $22 million to the Executive Council of Australian Jewry to enhance Jewish community security as part of the Budget, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke announced on Tuesday night.

The funding comes on top of the previously announced $102 million for Jewish community security, bringing total security funding to $124 million.

The government is also providing $46.7 million in support to the Jewish community, including for security and infrastructure upgrades, and grant opportunities to support priority projects, including for a Chabad of Bondi project.

The measures form part of a $604.2 million package over five years from 2025-26 (and $8.1 million per year ongoing) to combat the influences of antisemitism, violent extremism and hate in Australian communities, announced in response to the December 14, 2025 Bondi terrorist attack.

The package includes $218.9 million in immediate support to those injured in the attack, families of victims, and the broader community.

A further $207.4 million (and $8.1 million per year ongoing) will combat antisemitism and violent extremism by countering terrorism threats online, preventing youth radicalisation, public awareness and social cohesion campaigns.

The funding will also implement migration elements of the Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Criminal and Migration Laws) Act 2026, including new visa refusal and cancellation grounds, and character test provisions under the Migration Act 1958.

“All of these decisions send the same message. Antisemitism doesn’t belong here. Jewish Australians do,” Burke said.

The Bondi Beach terror attack on December 14, 2025, killed 15 people during a Chanukah celebration.