Daily London
The latest Resolve poll for The Sydney Morning Herald found that almost half or more Australians believe changes are needed.
Of the voters surveyed, 76 per cent wanted stricter immigration screening to identify antisemitic or extremist views, 70 per cent wanted tougher hate speech laws, and 67 per cent wanted heavier penalties for those who incite violence against the Jewish community.
Almost half, 48 per cent, wanted a federal royal commission into the Bondi attack, while 34 per cent were undecided.
The opposition and two Labor members have called for a federal royal commission, arguing the state-based one currently underway would not have the same reach or scope.
“We have work to do in order to honour the dead,” Federal Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said earlier this week.
“We must confront uncomfortable truths, hard truths. That’s what this Commonwealth royal commission is about.”
The Rabbinical Association has since written to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, saying “what we are hearing is fear, anger and a deep sense that existing responses have been insufficient”.
“For this reason, we strongly believe that a federal royal commission into antisemitism in Australia is now necessary,” they said.
But Albanese has ruled it out, saying that there is already a state royal commission, a department review and a police investigation running at the same time.
“What we need to do is to work immediately,” he said.
“The idea that we would have multiple royal commissions as well as a review running at the same time is going to simply delay action.”
Albanese has already signalled several legislative changes, including hate speech laws, a landmark gun buyback scheme, a new landmark offence that outlaws the radicalisation of children, and more powers for the home affairs minister to cancel or refuse visas if a person is suspected of promoting violence, is engaging in hate speech, is associated with a terrorist organisation or has displayed a hate symbol.
He is likely to recall parliament in January to implement the new hate speech and gun laws.
Minister Assisting the Prime Minister, Patrick Gorman, urged parliament to support the laws when they are introduced.
“The immigration minister needs more powers, and the parliament should provide them,” he said.
“We need stronger hate speech laws, and the parliament should endorse those laws.”
