Julian Leeser (Berowra, Liberal Party, Shadow Attorney-General) Share this | Hansard source

I move:

That this House:

(1) recognises the 80th anniversary of B'nai B'rith in Australia, an organisation whose work has strengthened not only the Australian Jewish community but the entire Australian population;

(2) commends B'nai B'rith for its leadership in promoting education, interfaith understanding, cultural expression, and the fight against antisemitism;

(3) notes its range of initiatives to support the community including the Courage to Care program, youth leadership development, and its charitable trust, which have left a lasting mark on the community; and

(4) acknowledges the volunteers and members of B'nai B'rith past and present, whose 80 years of service reflect our nation's values of compassion, justice, and responsibility.

I'd like to welcome members of B'nai B'rith. We don't usually get such a crowd here in the Federation Chamber, but such is the importance of the 80th anniversary of B'nai B'rith. I'd like to acknowledge the member for Macnamara and the member for Wentworth, who are also going to be making contributions in this debate. And I'd particularly like to thank past president James Allman, who alerted me to the 80th anniversary of B'nai B'rith. B'nai B'rith have been here having their triennial convention, from both Australia and New Zealand, and it's wonderful to welcome them to the Federation Chamber this day.

Eighty years ago, in 1944, a group of Jewish German and Austrian refugees, who fled the horrors of Nazism, gathered in Sydney to establish B'nai B'rith in Australia. They built on the traditions of a global organisation that had already existed for a century, animated by the values of fellowship, compassion and communal responsibility. What began as a small social and cultural organisation quickly grew into one of the most enduring and impactful community organisations in this country. From its earliest days, B'nai B'rith created spaces where people could connect, learn and share Jewish culture with the broader Australian community.

In 1945, it founded one of the first youth groups in Sydney, followed soon after by one in Melbourne. In 1948, it established its first community home in Darlinghurst, with further centres in Sydney and Melbourne to follow. By the 1960s B'nai B'rith had expanded across the Tasmin, with branches in Wellington and Auckland, ensuring its mission reached Jewish communities in New Zealand, as well. In 1961, it launched the Hillel foundation. B'nai B'rith has established so many offshoots in its time. Hillel offered residential facilities and counselling for universities students, a project so successful that it became an independent organisation after nearly four decades.

Closer to home for me—and I'm so delighted to have a Jewish community institution in my electorate—B'nai B'rith also founded retirement villages, beginning in Wahroonga in 1964, in my electorate. Today, Kadimah Gardens continues the proud tradition of providing quality affordable accommodation for older members of the community. I want to acknowledge the Kadimah Gardens committee, led by Ada Berger. In particular, it's great to see the great Jack Aghion here, also from Kadimah, in my electorate, and others.

Perhaps B'nai B'rith's most enduring contributions have been in education and building bridges between communities. In 1981, it organised the Holocaust exhibition in Australia, held at the Sydney Town Hall. That exhibition travelled the country, was attended by tens of thousands, and ultimately led to Holocaust studies being part of the school syllabus.

The work directly inspired the Courage to Care program, and I want to acknowledge Ernie Friedlander and his great work in that. Launched in Melbourne and then in Sydney, Courage to Care teaches Australians—especially school students—about the dangers of prejudice and discrimination. It empowers them to become upstanders, not bystanders, inspiring young people to embrace and celebrate the beauty of our Jewish tradition, which teaches us to treat others with loving kindness. In a period where antisemitism is escalating, Courage to Care has never been more important. B'nai B'rith have established intercultural celebrations since the early 90s across a range of communities, and their work on intercultural and interfaith dialogue is very important.

Of course, B'nai B'rith understands and appreciates freedom. Its antidefamation oration began in 1988, and it has provided platforms for people like Pat Dodson, David Rosen and Helen Suzman. Its Gold Medal Award has been given to both Bob Hawke and John Howard. Its Raoul Wallenberg Humanitarian Award was initiated in 1990, with recipients like Tim Costello and Gus Nossal. In 2004, they helped secure parliamentary resolutions against racism and antisemitism in this parliament and in various state parliaments.

I was proud to deliver the B'nai B'rith Human Rights Oration in 2018, called Human Rights Hijacked. I should acknowledge Anna Berger, who was the state president at that time. It was probably one of the most important speeches I've made. In fact, it spurred on a book, Nonsense on Stilts, in response to it. It's always a place to go to make important speeches and contributions.

B'nai B'rith has also done much, whether it's work for young people, work that relates to the arts, work that relates to antidiscrimination and reducing racism in this country, or work that is focused on the advancement of human rights. In celebrating this anniversary today, we celebrate not only a story of remarkable organisation but also a story of modern Australia: of refugees who arrived in this country with little, but who built institutions of strength and who, in turn, strengthened the nation that welcomed them. May B'nai B'rith continue for another 80 years to lead, to educate, to inspire and to unite Australians of all backgrounds.

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