‘Labor and Coalition stand together on Israel’
LABOR MP Walt Secord and Liberal MP Gabrielle Upton have told the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies’ (JBD) plenum that the Liberal/National Coalition and Labor are divided on many issues in Parliament, but on Israel and the Jewish people they stand together.
LABOR MP Walt Secord and Liberal MP Gabrielle Upton have told the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies’ (JBD) plenum that the Liberal/National Coalition and Labor are divided on many issues in Parliament, but on Israel and the Jewish people they stand together.
Last week, the two politicians addressed the community, with Secord saying he was proud to have recently given notice of new legislation in the NSW Parliament to create a specific offence of racist graffiti.
He said that people daubing or spraying racist graffiti should face race hate charges, and while the penalty would be the same as for regular graffiti, he said, “I believe that a person caught putting a Nazi symbol on a synagogue should carry the stain on their criminal record well beyond just graffiti.”
“They have committed racist graffiti – a crime of incitement and hatred – and should be judged by society accordingly.”
Upton described herself as a “special envoy for the community” and said that it is made easier because of the coordinated structure of the community.
“I do commend the work that the Board of Deputies does in speaking out on issues that effect the community and its welfare,” Upton said.
“You are a very mature community and are very good at reaching out to the broader community.”
She paid tribute to NSW JBD president Yair Miller and chief executive Vic Alhadeff.
“I want to pay personal tribute to Yair and Vic because they are a formidable team.
“From the political parliamentary side, they are highly respected and wonderful ambassadors for you.”
Upton was asked if she, and the premier, shared the view of the federal Coalition party to wind back racial vilification laws.
“I don’t know the government’s view on that,” Upton said.
“Let me assure you that Yair always brings to mind the Premier’s attention when the community feels it is not being supported and I’ll take that on notice.”
JOSHUA LEVI
Walt Secord
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