Major parties outline diverging policies in AIJAC questionnaire

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Both major parties have responded to a series of questions from the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC), addressing issues of concern to the Australian Jewish community, ahead of the federal election on May 3.

In line with a pre-election tradition spanning more than two decades, AIJAC submitted 11 questions to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s Labor campaign and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s Liberal-National Coalition.

The topics ranged from Australia’s relationship with Israel and the Gaza conflict to strategies for addressing rising antisemitism, multicultural policy, and the handling of public broadcaster complaints.

The Coalition delivered detailed responses to each question, while Labor, in a departure from past elections, submitted a single letter summarising the government’s current stance on most of the issues raised.

Both parties expressed a commitment to supporting the Jewish community in the face of unprecedented levels of antisemitism following the October 7 Hamas attacks. Labor pointed to specific measures it has already implemented, including $78 million for security upgrades at Jewish schools and community facilities and over $14 million for Holocaust education.

The Coalition outlined a 13-point plan that includes a new police task force, visa cancellations for those involved in antisemitic incidents, and significant funding for Jewish institutions, such as $35 million to rebuild Melbourne’s Adass Israel Synagogue and $10 million for security at Moriah College. Unlike Labor, the Coalition said it would consider funding armed guards at vulnerable community sites.

The parties also diverged on how best to address antisemitism on university campuses. Labor highlighted a parliamentary inquiry it initiated, calling it the most comprehensive effort to date. The Coalition argued this approach is insufficient and promised a judicial inquiry with legal authority to compel evidence and testimony.

Both sides reaffirmed their support for a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians. However, Labor stood by a policy shift allowing for recognition of a Palestinian state during peace talks, while the Coalition promised to return to the previous position that recognition should only occur after a final agreement.

Both parties indicated their intent to strengthen trade and investment ties with Israel, though the Coalition used more assertive language and committed to pursuing a Free Trade Agreement.

In relation to Australia’s stance at the United Nations, the Coalition pledged to vote against what it described as anti-Israel bias, while Labor stated it would support resolutions that advance a two-state outcome. On Iran, the Coalition called for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to be listed as a terrorist organisation and stressed its record on implementing international sanctions. Labor did not respond to the question regarding Iran.

On the question of public broadcaster accountability, both parties reaffirmed the importance of the ABC and SBS as independent institutions, though with differing emphases. The Coalition stressed the need for the ABC to meet its charter obligations of balance, fairness and integrity, and committed to bolstering the complaints process to ensure the broadcaster remains accurate and impartial.

Labor underlined the editorial independence of both the ABC and SBS, pointing to existing safeguards such as their complaints mechanisms, oversight by independent ombudsmen, and accountability through Parliament and statutory reporting.

The Coalition reaffirmed its support for the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism and said it had no plans to alter Section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act. Labor made no direct comment on either issue.

AIJAC Executive Director Dr Colin Rubenstein said the issues raised in the questionnaire reflect not only the concerns of the Jewish community, but also those of the broader Australian public.

“Given all that has happened since the last election – Hamas’ October 7 atrocities; the seven-front war that followed, including with Hezbollah; Iran on the cusp of a nuclear weapon; and of course the shocking rise in antisemitism here and abroad – we believe the questions that AIJAC has asked the two campaign teams reflect not only concerns of the Australian Jewish community, but the country as a whole,” he said. “AIJAC hopes a comparison of the responses will help inform all Australians as they head to the polls.”

The full responses from both the ALP and the Coalition are available on AIJAC’s website.