Victorian opposition demand Parliament recall
Propose new laws after synagogue firebombing
Opposition leaders in Victoria are demanding an immediate recall of Parliament following the terrorist attack on the Adass Israel Synagogue.
Opposition Leader John Pesutto and his deputy, the member for Caulfield, David Southwick, are calling for urgent legislation to protect places of worship and the reinstatement of strengthened move-on laws.
“The Allan Labor Government have been sitting on their hands for 14 months and have failed to keep the Jewish community safe,” Southwick said, insisting that “there’s no time for a holiday.”
The opposition is proposing a legislative package including creating exclusion zones around religious institutions and providing Victoria Police with enhanced powers.
Pesutto characterised the synagogue attack as “an act of terrorism essentially aimed at dehumanising a group of people,” noting its intention “to strike fear in the hearts of that group of people.”
Southwick has renewed his June 2024 request for a bipartisan working group to combat antisemitism, revealing he is yet to receive a reply to his original letter to Premier Jacinta Allan.
“Let’s work together now, let’s ensure that there is a bipartisan working group to tackle antisemitism” he said.
The proposed working group would have multiple objectives, including consulting with community stakeholders and developing actionable recommendations to counter hate.
Southwick believes the issue extends beyond the Jewish community, stating it was “a targeted attack not just on the Jewish community, but a targeted attack on all Victorians.”
Pesutto was unequivocal about the terrorist designation, describing the perpetrators as “utter cowards” and saying that the attack’s nature was clear from the outset.
“This should not have taken anybody any particular length of time to determine that it’s an act of terrorism,” he said.
The Opposition has committed to returning to a recalled Parliament as early as next week to pass the new laws.
Pessuto said, “We could have a one day sitting and in that one day sitting we could pass these laws to protect places of worship”.
The calls for action come after a series of antisemitic incidents that have left the Jewish community feeling increasingly vulnerable.
Southwick emphasised that “the Jewish community should not have to look over their shoulders” or be forced to invest excessive resources in security.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan’s office has been contacted for comment.
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