Human Rights Commissioner apologises for not speaking out sooner on antisemitism

Human Rights Commissioner Lorraine Finlay has apologised to the Jewish community for not speaking out earlier and more clearly about the rise in antisemitism in Australia, particularly after the Sydney Opera House protest.

Finlay made the apology at Unbreakable: Jewish Women, Then, Now, Always, the National Council of Jewish Women Australia national conference held in Sydney on August 23 and 24, in an on-stage conversation with NCJWA vice president Shirley Leader before more than 200 attendees. She has since set out her reflections in a written statement.

“As I come to the end of my term as Australia’s Human Rights Commissioner, I have spent a lot of time reflecting on what I could have done differently. My greatest regret is that I did not speak out earlier and more clearly about the rise in antisemitism, particularly following the Sydney Opera House protests,” Finlay said.

“During our conversation at Unbreakable, I acknowledged that some people in the room may have lost faith in me, the Commission, and the broader human rights community because of that delay. For that, I am genuinely sorry.”

Finlay said one lesson she would carry with her was that hatred must be confronted early, clearly and without hesitation, and that the burden of defending human rights should never fall solely on those whose rights are under attack.

“Confronting antisemitism is a responsibility that must be shared by all of us. It is a test not only of our commitment to Jewish Australians, but more broadly of our commitment to the values of respect, freedom and equality that underpin our democracy,” she said.

The wider conversation also covered reforms preventing genetic discrimination in life insurance, which Finlay said mattered for women of Ashkenazi Jewish heritage among others, and her support for reform of the Sex Discrimination Act to remove ambiguity around sex-based rights and single-sex spaces.

NCJWA national president Lynda Ben-Menashe said the organisation had been delighted when Finlay asked to appear in person.

“The 200-plus women in the room deeply appreciated her honesty, and were gratified at her clear understanding of the current situation for Jewish Australians. I am very pleased that she has now followed this up in writing, with these reflections,” Ben-Menashe said.

“NCJWA wishes Lorraine Finlay well as she reaches the end of her term as Australian Human Rights Commissioner. We look forward to continuing to work with her in whatever role she takes next, and to working closely with her successor.”