Chaffey’s Corner – Confronting antisemitism

It’s 2026 and we are all approaching the new year a little older and hopefully a little wiser than before. Last year brought with it a horrifying event as we headed into Christmas. The terrorist attack at Bondi Beach shocked Australians and put the spotlight on the rise of antisemitism in our country.

While two gunmen with hatred in their hearts held the weapons, it is people across Australia, particularly in the largely rural and remote electorate of Parkes, that will pay the price. New gun laws passed by the NSW Labor Government are an attempt to divert attention or discussion from the reality that what we are dealing with here primarily is antisemitism.

These men would have found some way to carry out this heinous act. There is no place for such hatred in our community. Antisemitism and violent Islamic extremism must be confronted: there is no room to be weak on this issue, and we cannot allow this to grow.

So many Australians have now called for answers through a Commonwealth Royal Commission into antisemitism. Business leaders, Jewish community leaders, former AFP Commissioner Mick Keelty, organisations such as the Minerals Council, Former Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove, sporting personalities and, most importantly, the families of many of the victims have all sent a plea to the Prime Minister for a good, hard look at how this could have happened. And we need to know it is not going to happen again.

I will continue to lend my voices to those who have had enough of hatred and intolerance in our country. Fifteen innocent people died and that is fifteen too many. A Royal Commission into antisemitism is a positive step towards putting an end to this threat to freedom and safety.

In the interim, Labor Governments have turned their attention towards guns and not the people pointing them, a sleight of hand directing us away from the ever-escalating cost of living and other issues such as extravagant spending on travel. I will be continuing to monitor developments in this space and hold the current Federal Government accountable for the way they have responded and continue to respond to this tragedy and the rise of antisemitism in our great nation.

As we address the terrible impact of this attack, there is always hope in the everyday events that make up our lives. This week, I am attending the Parkes Elvis Festival, recognised as one of the top three festivals and events in Australia. Parkes has really developed a great festival that attracts people from around the country and around the world to celebrate their shared love of Elvis and the rock and roll era. I’m looking forward to it.

Australia Day is also coming up, with events and celebrations planned across the Parkes electorate. This year, I’m planning to be in Coonamble for Australia Day, but I know that in towns from Narrabri to Lightning Ridge, and Broken Hill to Forbes, people will be showing just how proud they are to be Australian.

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