Female independent MPs in the House of Representatives have called out the rising anti-Semitism and Islamophobia in Australia.
Zoe Daniel MP, the independent member for Goldstein proposed a Matter of Public Importance (MPI) before the House of Representatives on Thursday, addressing hate speech and violence against the Jewish and Islamic communities across the country.
Her motion came after a clash in Caulfield, which sits in the Daniel’s division of Goldstein, erupted between pro-Palestine and pro-Israel protestors last week, sparking outrage from politicians over the violence.
Daniel spoke before the chamber on Thursday, describing the impact of the current events in Gaza on communities around the country.
“Anti-Semitism is on the rise. Many Jewish people are fearful and anxious inside and outside their homes. Some students from Jewish schools are avoiding wearing uniforms. Jewish businesses are facing protests and boycotts,” Daniel said.
“At the same time, Palestinian Australians and others are traumatised by events in Gaza. I am too.”
Today, the community independents led the way, showing parliament at its best. I proposed a Matter of Public Importance, appealing for social cohesion rather than opportunistic attempts to divide and inflame directly affected communities, including our Goldstein Jewish community. pic.twitter.com/3rvgUiUV1N
— Zoe Daniel MP (she/her) (@zdaniel) November 16, 2023
Daniel expressed her concerns not just for the Jewish community in Goldstein and across the world but also for the innocent lives lost in Gaza, which has been reported to have exceeded over 11,000, more than 4,000 of which are children.
“I am desperately concerned about those in the Jewish community, in Goldstein and across the world. I am also heartsick at the deaths of thousands of civilians in Gaza, especially children,” Daniel said.
“The two feelings can coexist. Indeed, they must.
“We cannot allow distress to turn into hate and anger in a way that divides us.”
Division in the House and beyond
Question Time in the House of Representatives on Wednesday highlighted the risk of division over the conflict.
Several Parliamentarians condemned the words of leader of the Opposition, Peter Dutton, when he linked anti-Semitism to the recent controversial High Court decision and directed the blame to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Dutton’s words were branded as “reckless”, “extremely dangerous” and “beyond contempt”.
Leaders have a responsibility to unite the country, not divide it. pic.twitter.com/QtTwzQuxlf
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) November 15, 2023
The division that Dutton attempted to cause (according to the Parliamentarians who spoke out against the LNP leader) sparked Zoe Daniel MP’s proposed MPI.
In solidarity, other female independent MPs rose and also spoke out against anti-Semitism and Islamophobia in Australia.
Dai Le MP, the independent member for Fowler, said that while Gaza is not exactly on Australia’s “doorstep”, it is deeply affecting the country’s multicultural and multifaith society.
“It’s critical that we are conscious of Australia’s multicultural community and recognise that both the Jewish and Muslim communities have probably been impacted the most,” she said.
Le cited reports from the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, which reported 221 anti-Semitic incidents in the last month, 42 of which occurred within just one week.
Likewise, the Islamophobia Register Australia reported 133 incidents, which Le noted is likely to be higher, since Islamophobia largely goes unreported.
“Australia does not condone this abhorrent upward trend of targeted violence against any communities in our diverse country,” Le said.
Dr Monique Ryan MP, the member for Kooyong, called on leaders to “take us forward with empathy and with generosity”.
Social Cohesion
This week, a report found social cohesion in Australia has reached its lowest level on record.
The report from the Scanlon Foundation Research Institute shows that Australians’ sense of social inclusion and justice has been declining and is the largest factor impacting our lowering level of social cohesion. There is less belief in Australia as the land of the “fair go”, declining by 16 per cent since 2013.
Discrimination and racism are also concerns, with 18 per cent of Australians saying they had experienced discrimination in the last 12 months based on their skin colour, ethnic origin or religion. This figure rises to 28 per cent for people born overseas and 39 per cent for people from non-English speaking backgrounds.
Kylea Tink, the member for North Sydney, raised the findings of the report on Thursday in the House of Representatives and condemned the lack of cohesion not just in Australian society, but also in the chamber.
“Who are we when we allow that in this place? Who are we as a parliament and who are we as leaders?” Tink said.
“A socially cohesive society is one where all groups have a sense of belonging, participation, inclusion and legitimacy.
“This sense is being severely tested at the moment, and I am seeing it, heartbreakingly, in my community.”
Dr Helen Haines, the member for Indi, said she is witnessing it as well in her own electorate.
“More constituents have written to me about this conflict between Israel and Hamas than on any other issue this year,” she told the House of Representatives.
“My heart goes out to members of Parliament here and their constituents who have been directly impacted. It is clear that Australians are deeply distressed by what is happening in the Middle East. I am deeply distressed by what is happening in the Middle East.”
Being Australian, the land of the ‘fair go’
At citizenship ceremonies, MPs deliver a speech, describing the values of Australia.
“We believe in a society in which everyone is equal, regardless of their gender, faith, sexual orientation, age, ability, race, national or ethnic origin,” the speech that MPs deliver at citizenship ceremonies reads.
“Ours is the land of the fair go, in which respect and compassion underpin our care for each other and our willingness to reach out to those around us in times of need.”
The member for Wentworth, Allegra Spender, read out these “incredibly moving words” before the House of Representatives on Thursday. She called on the government to hold up these values.
“We are in times of need,” Spender said.
“We need to reach out to each other now. We need to stand up against antisemitism, against Islamophobia and against racism.
“We need to consider our words and actions carefully.”