Teal and Liberal candidates clash at Goldstein forum
Zoe Daniel and Tim Wilson take part in a sometimes heated debate at Brighton Hebrew Congregation
Around 350 people gathered at Brighton Hebrew Congregation on Thursday night for a spirited candidates’ forum featuring incumbent teal independent MP Zoe Daniel and Liberal candidate Tim Wilson.
The event, organised by the Jewish Community Council of Victoria (JCCV) and Zionism Victoria, and sponsored by numerous Jewish community organisations including The AJN, saw both candidates address concerns about rising antisemitism and community safety in a sometimes boisterous atmosphere.
There were cheers, boos and cries of “shame” and “rubbish” during the event. While security guards were present they were not required as the moderators maintained order throughout the proceedings.
Wilson, the former Liberal MP for Goldstein who is seeking to reclaim the seat after losing to Daniel in 2022, received loud applause and shouts of “Go Tim!” upon entering the synagogue, while Daniel, a former ABC journalist, was also supported by several attendees.
In her opening statement, Daniel positioned herself as a community leader who “stands up actively against antisemitism” while cautioning against politicising the Israel-Gaza conflict.
“I object to the conflict in Israel and Gaza being used as a vote getter by both the coalition and the greens in different ways, and I won’t do that,” Daniel said.
She highlighted her achievements, including fast-tracking safety grants for community organisations, advocating for an antisemitism envoy, pushing for legislation against doxxing, and supporting a judicial inquiry into antisemitism. “These are actions completed. These are not just words,” Daniel said.
Wilson’s opening remarks painted a stark picture of the current climate for Australian Jews.
“Three years ago, when I left office, the Australian Jewish community was recognised as the over contributors to the Australian way of life that they are. But [they] now feel marginalised and afraid,” Wilson said.
He outlined a ten-point plan to combat antisemitism including supporting a judicial inquiry into antisemitism on university campuses, establishing a national taskforce, and ensuring support for local security infrastructure.
Wilson criticised what he described as delayed responses from the current political leadership. “It has been the silence of our leaders that has ended me,” he said. “There has been so much delayed disinterest in confronting this moral evil head on.”
“Wilson and Daniel’s most direct clash came over the accusation that the teal candidate has taken $600,000 from climate and activist groups including Climate 200, some of whose leaders have reportedly made statements supporting the anti-Israel BDS (Boycott, Sanctions and Divestment) movement.
Daniel defended her independence and said all the donors to her campaign are published on her website. Wilson said many of those listed on the website simply say “anonymous”.
Both candidates shared personal stories illustrating the fear experienced by Jewish community members since October 7.
Daniel spoke of a child in the community who “hasn’t slept a full night since October 7” and returned to school only once assured armed guards would be present.
Wilson recounted conversations with Bialik College’s principal about students transferring from public schools “because they no longer felt safe… because of either the fear or the reality of antisemitism.”
He emphasised that beyond security concerns, many Jewish Australians feel abandoned by institutions. “It’s the sense of abandonment that they have felt from so much of their government for the first time, I think, in our nation’s history,” Wilson said.
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