While the Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) welcomes the announcement of a Commonwealth royal commission into anti-Semitism, it is warning against the inquiry being conflated with other agendas.
ACL agrees that only a Commonwealth royal commission will uncover all the failures that led to the Bondi attack and ensure the right action is taken to rid Australia of anti-Semitism.
It agrees that the tragic events at Bondi demand a strong response from governments.
ACL also supports action that directly addresses radical Islamic extremism and the incitement of violence against Jewish Australians.
CONCERNS OTHER INTEREST GROUPS COULD EXPAND INQUIRY
However, ACL is concerned other interest groups will use the royal commission to further their own cause.
It has already been suggested that the expansion of hate speech laws cover gender and sexuality, including by Wentworth Independent MP Allegra Spender.
The Federal Government has proposed four key areas to be covered by the royal commission.
ACL writes that: “Unfortunately, this implies that it will include a much broader investigation of social cohesion.”
“THIS TRAGEDY MUST NOT BE MISUSED TO ADVANCE POLITICAL AGENDAS”
CEO Michelle Pearse said: “Australians are calling for action to confront the ideologies that led to the Bondi attack.”
“We owe it to the victims and their families to act decisively.”
“But we must ensure this tragedy is not misused to advance unrelated political agendas.”
“This moment must not be hijacked by other groups who seek to further their own cause.”
“Hate speech laws must target the real threat and not broaden into areas such as gender and sexuality. “
ACL BACKS A NARROW AND DISCIPLINED INQUIRY
ACL welcomes the stance of the Opposition leader, Sussan Ley, who recently pointed out Australia is not facing a crisis of speech about gender or sexuality, but a crisis driven by radical Islamic extremism and neo-Nazi ideology.
ACL agrees that the Government must resist attempts to widen the inquiry’s scope beyond these concerns.
“We back the Opposition’s call for a narrow and disciplined approach,” said Ms. Pearse.
“REFORMS NEED TO BE PRECISE, PROPORTIONATE AND NOT UNDERMINE FREE SPEECH”
The Christian Lobby has written to the Government to ensure that any necessary reforms are precise, proportionate, and do not undermine genuine freedom of speech.
“Australians need laws that protect communities from genuine threats of violence, not laws that stop legitimate debate or silence people of faith,” Ms Pearse asserted.
ACL is yet to be consulted on these new laws.
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