Inquiry must hear from Australia’s leaders

Australian Jews are facing one of the toughest periods in recent memory. Antisemitic incidents have risen, Jewish institutions face greater security risks, and public discussion has become more polarised.

In this context, the Royal Commission on antisemitism has an essential responsibility. It must document acts of hatred and discrimination and examine the wider factors that have made many Australian Jews feel less secure. To do this effectively, the commission should hear from those who shaped government policy, public messaging and community responses during this period.

The Jewish community should urge the Royal Commission to call key ministers, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, Attorney-General Michelle Rowland and Multicultural Affairs Minister Anne Aly. These ministers have played central parts in shaping Australia’s foreign policy, legal framework, security responses and community relations during this period of heightened tension.

Wong has been a leading government voice on the Middle East conflict. Her statements have defined Australia’s international position and affected public discussion. The commission should examine how foreign policy messaging was developed and whether the concerns of Jewish Australians were sufficiently considered during times of tension.

Many in the Jewish community perceive an imbalance in public debate. Criticism of Israel is often highly visible, while the fears and experiences of Jewish Australians receive less attention. Whether this perception is justified deserves examination. Public faith depends not only on government intentions but also on how communities experience government actions and statements.

The Prime Minister’s role is equally important. Albanese has consistently condemned antisemitism and reaffirmed Australia’s commitment to religious tolerance and social cohesion, which the Jewish community has welcomed. However, the Royal Commission should examine how the government assessed the rise in antisemitic incidents, what advice it received from security and community organisations and whether its responses matched the seriousness of the threat.

The commission should also hear from Burke about measures to protect Jewish institutions, monitor extremist activity and address threats to communal safety. Security concerns are now a daily reality for many Jewish schools, synagogues and community centres. Understanding how these risks were evaluated and managed is essential to an extensive review.

Rowland should explain the government’s legal response to rising antisemitism, including the adequacy of existing laws, new measures introduced and coordination of law enforcement.

Aly plays a key role in encouraging social cohesion and encouraging understanding between communities. As social divisions deepen, the commission should examine how multicultural policies have been implemented and whether communities facing hostility and intimidation have received adequate support.

Some may argue that requiring ministers to appear before the Commission would politicise its work. However, the issues under examination are already political. Government policy, diplomatic positions, public messaging and security decisions all shape the environment in which communities live. A serious inquiry cannot ignore these factors simply because they involve political leaders.

Others may suggest that ministers have already explained their positions through speeches, interviews and parliamentary debates. However, a Royal Commission serves a different purpose. It allows evidence to be tested, assumptions to be challenged and decisions to be examined in a structured and clear way. Public statements cannot substitute for this process.

The Jewish community values accountability because it understands the consequences of silence. Many Australian Jews are descendants of Holocaust survivors, refugees and families who fled persecution. Their experiences reinforce a simple lesson: societies are strongest when governments are open to examination and communities feel confident their concerns will be heard.

My own family’s history, formed by war, loss and displacement, has shown me that democratic institutions are strengthened when citizens take part actively and respectfully in public life. Questioning the government is not disloyalty; it is a civic responsibility.

Australian Jews have contributed considerably to the nation’s cultural, economic and civic life. They have built schools, welfare organisations, cultural institutions, and places of worship, while adopting the values of democracy, pluralism and mutual regard. They do not seek special treatment, only the same security, dignity and consideration afforded to every Australian community.

The recent rise in antisemitism has shaken that confidence. Many Jews feel their concerns have been acknowledged but not fully understood. They want assurance that decision-makers recognise both the reality of the threats they face and the cumulative impact on daily life.

The Royal Commission’s purpose should be to discover the truth, examine all relevant evidence and provide recommendations that strengthen community unity and protect vulnerable communities.

To achieve this, it must hear from the ministers whose decisions, policies and public statements shaped the national conversation during this difficult period.

Accountability creates trust. Transparency strengthens confidence. Both are essential if Australia is to confront antisemitism effectively and preserve the inclusive society we all aspire to.

Roland Gridiger OAM is a lawyer, Holocaust survivor, and a survivor speaker at the Sydney Jewish Museum.