Angie Bell (Moncrieff, Liberal National Party, Shadow Minister for Youth) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Australia's way of life is built on the values of fairness, of tolerance and of respect. But, unfortunately, our strength and unity are being tested during times of civil unrest never before seen in our great country. The fact is that social cohesion is on a knife's edge, and Australians are rightly disappointed in the Prime Minister's lack of leadership. There have been multiple failures of government to keep our community safe and united. Crime is spiralling out of control in several states. Synagogues have been firebombed, with our Jewish community under siege.

The Prime Minister has turned a blind eye to hate, to discrimination and to crime in this country. There are pro-terrorist rallies taking place across the country, including at our iconic Sydney Opera House and across the Sydney Harbour Bridge. There was disturbing graffiti celebrating Hamas in Melbourne, as Jewish Australians marked the atrocities of October 7. There were 1,200 Israelis killed by those terrorists on that day. To do anything but condemn their atrocities is an absolute disgrace. We must never import the bitterness of overseas conflicts into our communities here at home. The Prime Minister cannot continue to let this spiral out of control. He must step up now and show some real leadership. Jewish Australians and all Australians deserve better than the scraps they're being thrown by this government and by this prime minister.