Strengthening the Royal Commission’s work

Growing up after the Holocaust and influenced by survivors who rebuilt their lives in Australia, I am aware of the fragility of social cohesion and the need to protect minority communities from hatred.

My experience in the Jewish community and public memory institutions has shown that antisemitism rarely starts with violence. It often begins with indifference, institutional hesitation and the gradual erosion of social norms. This background gives me a personal stake in the Royal Commission’s success.

Its work directly affects the safety, dignity, and future of Australian Jews, as well as the values that support our multicultural society.

The appointment of Sydney barrister Richard Lancaster SC as counsel assisting the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion is a significant and reassuring step for the Australian Jewish community.