Congratulations to the government, but we will hold it to account
We have had our disagreements, but now is not the time to shun the Labor party.
The AJN congratulates the Labor Party and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on their historic victory on Saturday.
The people of Australia have spoken. And perhaps reminding us – and humbling us – of the small size and relative unimportance of our community, our dissatisfaction with the government’s responses to antisemitism and its positions on Israel were irrelevant in the bigger picture as Labor romped home.
There will be many members of our community this week who are disappointed. Many who have criticised the government’s policies and actions on our issues were banking on a Coalition victory to serve as an instant remedy to all our ills. While for those Australian Jews who staunchly support the Liberal Party, it’s going to be a long road back.
But we must remember that there are also many in our community who support and/or are active within Labor. On that note we congratulate Josh Burns, Mark Dreyfus and Mike Freelander on being re-elected.
We have had our disagreements, but now is not the time to shun the Labor party.
Writing the government off as antisemitic – it’s not – and refusing to engage with it are not going to help our community. We need to continue to advocate for our causes and find common ground where and when we can.
Likewise, dissuading young politically minded Jews from becoming involved in Labor is also anathema to our interests. With the party set to govern for at least the next two terms, we need as many voices in the room as we can to amplify ours.
Here at the The AJN, we will continue to hold the government to account, respectfully, on issues affecting our community and Australia’s relationship with Israel. We will criticise its actions where appropriate and laud others that lead to good outcomes.
A major positive to come out of the election is the sidelining of the Greens, who have gone backwards on every measure. That can only be good news for mainstream Australian Jews.
We wrote here last week that “no matter the election result on Saturday, as proud Jewish Australians, we will continue to hold our heads up high”.
This is our country as much as anyone’s. Let’s be proud, stay engaged, and remain invested in Australia’s future and our place in it.
comments