Normalised deviancy in Australia

In a media event on January 29, 2025, NSW Police Deputy Commissioner David Hudson addressed the discovery of a caravan filled with explosives in Dural, a suburb approximately 35 kilometres northwest of Sydney.

The caravan, found on January 19, 2025, contained Powergel explosives—highly potent materials commonly used in mining, with a relative bulk strength of about 130 per cent compared to standard Ammonium Nitrate Fuel Oil explosives—along with chemicals and antisemitic materials. The amount of Powergel discovered was sufficient to cause a mass casualty event, like vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIEDs) used in Iraq and Afghanistan or American domestic terrorist attacks like the Oklahoma City bombing. Among the items recovered were notes containing the addresses of Jewish targets and hateful messages towards the Jewish community, suggesting a premeditated and potentially large-scale act of violence.

Hudson described the incident as not the normal antisemitism, emphasising the severity and calculated nature of the threat, which triggered a major counterterrorism investigation.

We Have a Big Problem in Australia

Australia, we have a problem. There is no such thing as “normal antisemitism”—or at least, there should not be. This was probably a slip of the tongue—and I don’t seek to pillory Deputy Commissioner Hudson—I believe he was likely pointing to the reality that terrorist attacks such as this one are not normal in Australia (at the time of writing this article at least). However, it may point to a Freudian slip—an unintentional error revealing subconscious thoughts. Hudson’s phrasing may reflect a deeper societal desensitisation to the persistent and escalating threat of antisemitism, highlighting the extent to which such prejudice is becoming ingrained.

Referring to any level of antisemitism as normal is offensive and dangerous. It implies acceptance of prejudice that should never be tolerated. The fact that antisemitism has been normalised within parts of Australian society is a damning indictment, highlighting failures not only in political leadership but within the collective conscience of the nation.

Historian Deborah Lipstadt argues that “the most insidious form of antisemitism is the kind that exists without anyone even realising it.” This form lurks in stereotypes, assumptions, and cultural norms that remain largely unexamined. What is alarming now, in Australia and globally, is that antisemitism is no longer subtle or implicit. It is conscious, blatant, and in many cases violent, manifesting in public displays, protests, and attacks.

As British author Howard Jacobson once wrote, “What was once whispered is now proclaimed.” In Australia, the public chanting of “Gas the Jews” during a pro-Palestinian rally exemplifies how antisemitism has stepped into the daylight. Public figures, community leaders, and institutions that fail to address these threats are contributing to the erosion of societal standards, where hate is given a platform under the guise of free expression.

Normalisation of Deviance

The term “normalisation of deviance,” coined by sociologist Diane Vaughan, describes a process where deviant behaviours gradually become accepted as standard. Vaughan’s research into the 1986 Challenger disaster revealed that NASA officials had become desensitised to critical safety issues, leading to catastrophic consequences. She noted that “people within the organisation become so accustomed to a deviation that they don’t consider it deviant, despite exceeding their own safety rules.”

This concept extends beyond aerospace, permeating sectors such as healthcare and aviation. In healthcare, the gradual acceptance of shortcuts can jeopardise patient safety. In aviation, overlooking minor safety violations can lead to major accidents. The danger lies in the slow, insidious nature of this process, where risks go unnoticed until disaster strikes.

Applying this framework to antisemitism, we face the uncomfortable reality that society has become desensitised to acts of hatred against Jewish communities. What was once universally condemned is now, alarmingly, seen as “normal.” This shift is dangerous, as it lowers our collective guard against prejudice and allows intolerance to fester unchecked.

We must assert that there is no acceptable level of antisemitism. Any act of hatred or discrimination against Jews must be met with zero tolerance. History shows that allowing even minor acts of bigotry to go unchallenged can lead to widespread persecution. The Holocaust stands as a stark reminder of the consequences of normalised hatred.

A Community Being Hunted

In a powerful interview with Sharri Markson on Sky News on January 29, 2025, Rabbi Levi Wolff of The Central Synagogue described the current climate as one of unprecedented fear. “We are witnessing a reality where Jewish people are being hunted,” Wolff said, referencing the discovery of the explosives. He emphasised that this was not an isolated threat but part of a broader trend.

Wolff criticised the downplaying of such incidents by officials, saying, “To hear it referred to as ‘not the normal antisemitism’ is alarming. What is normal when a community must fear attending their places of worship?” He called for immediate action, urging leaders to adopt a zero-tolerance approach.

Our Failed Institutions

Henry Ford once remarked, “Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently.” Let’s explore what currently isn’t working as it ought to:

Political Level: The Albanese Government faces mounting pressure to address critical issues, particularly the rise of antisemitism, public safety, and community trust. With growing scrutiny, many Australians are questioning whether the government’s actions have been sufficient or if it has failed to safeguard key community concerns.

Former Liberal MP Josh Frydenberg captured the urgency, stating, “Jewish Australians are now talking openly about leaving the country, and young Jews are forced to conceal their faith and ethnicity for fear of attack.”

In a 2005 Quarterly Essay correspondence, Graham Richardson observed, “I have always held the view that no matter how smart you think you are, the electorate is always smarter – the mob will always work you out.” This underscores the electorate’s ability to detect political failures over time. With the federal election scheduled for 2025, this principle is particularly pertinent.

Law and Order Institutions: Following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel, pro-Palestinian rallies in Australia featured chants and rhetoric inciting violence. Preacher Sheik Ibrahim Dadoun’s inflammatory remarks drew widespread public outrage. Critics argue that the government’s failure to act decisively has emboldened extremists and normalised hate speech.

In the aftermath of the October 7 attacks, federal and state authorities appeared to adopt a strategy that allowed protests to proceed, possibly as a means of relieving societal pressure and venting tensions. Critics, however, have described this strategy as “naive” and claim it has “backfired spectacularly” by emboldening extremists and further normalising hate speech.

Jillian Segal, Australia’s Special Envoy on Antisemitism, criticised weak enforcement, stating, “The lack of serious penalties applied to individuals arrested in related events, such as those flying prohibited flags, has set a tone of permissiveness in Australian society.” Her concerns reflect fears that leniency has emboldened perpetrators, making the issue a key topic in the upcoming election.

Israeli officials have also weighed in. In December 2024, an Israeli politician, speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs, described Australia’s response as “alarmingly soft.” He warned that “when democratic nations permit hateful rhetoric and incitement under the guise of free speech, they signal to extremists that their actions have tacit approval.”

Human Rights Organisations: Australian human rights bodies have failed to adequately address the rising threat of antisemitism or hold perpetrators accountable. Their responses have been largely symbolic, with limited tangible action:

Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) – The AHRC focuses on promoting human rights and combating discrimination. While it has issued public condemnations of antisemitism, many argue that its responses have been more symbolic than practical, lacking concrete measures to protect Jewish Australians amid rising threats.
Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission – Tasked with eliminating unlawful discrimination and harassment, the Commission has remained noticeably absent from public discussions on the rise of antisemitism, with no major public statements or initiatives identified. Its silence in the face of violent rhetoric targeting the Jewish community has raised concerns about its commitment to protecting all groups equally and whether its priorities have shifted toward more ideologically driven causes.
NSW Anti-Discrimination Board – Responsible for resolving complaints and promoting equal rights, the Board has received numerous reports of hate speech targeting Jewish Australians since October 2023. Yet, it has not been a prominent voice in condemning antisemitism. This lack of visible action has sparked doubts about its effectiveness as an advocate for justice and protection for all communities.

Despite their mandates, these organisations appear to have largely opted to “preach to the choir,” issuing statements on fashionable global causes, such as the Gaza conflict, while neglecting the rising tide of antisemitism at home. Their selective advocacy seemingly prioritises global virtue signalling over protecting vulnerable Australian communities. Their silence in the face of targeted antisemitic abuse has been deafening

The Role of the General Public

Australians are good and decent people, but misinformation regarding Israel has skewed public perception. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and other legacy media platforms have contributed to this by promoting biased narratives. If the ABC is your primary news source on Israel or IDF performance, you are being misled.

We Have Agency

As the federal election approaches, Australians have a powerful opportunity to demand accountability. This is more than a democratic exercise; it is a chance to reform publicly funded media, human rights institutions, and law enforcement—institutions that have failed to respond to antisemitic violence.

Unchecked antisemitism, which often meets the definition of terrorism, is a national disgrace. Institutions must act decisively to reverse this trend. History warns us of the dangers of complacency. Courageous leadership at all levels is needed to draw a line and declare, “No more.” Australia must act now, through the ballot box and beyond, to restore its moral and civic integrity.

Colonel Michael Scott, CSC, is the CEO and Founder of The 2023 Foundation, a charity dedicated to combatting antisemitism and fostering peaceful coexistence.

The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not reflect the positions of the Australian Defence Force or the Commonwealth Government of Australia.