January 22, 2025
Shadow home affairs minister James Paterson has warned allegations of state-sponsored antisemitic attacks in Australia could be "one of the most grave security crises" in the country.
The Australian Federal Police Commissioner this week revealed it is investigating if overseas actors have paid local criminals to carry out attacks against the Jewish community.
The AFP's Special Operation Avalite, which probes high-harm antisemitism, is also looking into whether local criminals are being funded by foreign actors with cryptocurrency.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has come under fire from the opposition for his refusal to shed further light on the allegations, insisting ongoing investigations were the priority.
Speaking to Sky News Australia on Wednesday, the shadow home affairs minister demanded Mr Albanese provide further information given the seriousness of the allegations.
The Liberal Senator argued it is not helpful to have speculation in the public without more details, as it also does not help ease concern in Jewish community.
"There are incredibly serious claims that have been made and they need to substantiated," Senator Paterson told Sky News host Laura Jayes.
"More information needs to be provided because it has struck fear in the heart of the Jewish community, who now believe that they are the targets of either a transnational terrorist organisation or a nation-state engaging in state-sponsored terror in Australia.
"The Prime Minister and (Home Affairs Minister) Tony Burke’s dismissal of questions about this, this morning, is just not good enough."
Mr Paterson warned, should allegations of foreign-sponsored terrorism be proven, it could mark Australia's greatest ever security emergency.
"You cannot put a claim out there like that with very little detail or substantiation, and let very little comfort to the community about what is being done to protect them," he said.
"It would be one of the most grave security crises in Australia in peacetime if it is the case that we have state-sponsored or terrorist-sponsored terror in our country."
The shadow home affairs minister questioned when Mr Albanese was briefed on the possibility of international element and whether meetings have been held with the National Security Committee or Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO).
"If it is indeed true that we have a foreign-sponsored campaign of terror against the Jewish community in our country, also yet to be explained is why it appears that so far Australia is unique in being on the receiving end of this," Senator Paterson said.
"There has been no claims and no evidence put forward that for example the United States, or the United Kingdom or any other likeminded countries have a foreign-sponsored terrorist campaign on their soil.
"Given the extraordinary nature of these claims, given the fear that it strikes in the heart of the community, the Prime Minister does need to be more upfront what he knew, when he knew it and what he has done about it."
His comments come as AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw on Wednesday refused to rule "anything or in or out" as investigations continue into the attacks.
"The AFP’s investigative lines of inquiry are looking at whether some individuals have been paid to carry out some antisemitic acts in Australia," the Commissioner said during a media update.
"We believe criminals for hire may be behind some incidents.
"So part of our inquiries include who is paying those criminals, where those people are they, whether they are in Australia or offshore and what their motivation is."
The AFP confirmed another open line of enquiry includes whether "anonymising technology", such as encrypted communication platforms, have been used to commit crimes.
Special Operation Avalite, which was set up in December 2024, is currently investigating 15 serious allegations in relation to antisemitism.
"There is still a lot of investigative work to be done and we are not ready to rule anything or in or out," Commissioner Kershaw said.
"Criminals are using anonymising technology and we know 70 per cent of criminals who target Australia are offshore.
"It is important we share this information with the public so they understand how seriously the AFP is taking this investigation and to explain why there will be lengthy investigations."
The Commissioner reiterated his commitment to sharing information with the public when he can.
"In my view, on this issue, providing information is not only a deterrent, but also keeps the public informed on matters that are very personal," he said.
The development comes after the horrific firebombing of a childcare in Sydney's east on Tuesday and recent vandalism of two synagogues and home.
Another synagogue in Melbourne was also left partly unrecognisable after a firebombing in December last year.
Responding to questions from reporters on the updates from the AFP Commissioner, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton demanded Mr Albanese be "honest" with Australians.
"If there has been such a significant international element, what has been the involvement of the federal agencies, including ASIO, and for how long?" Mr Dutton said.
"Why has the Prime Minister never mentioned this before now? When did the Prime Minister find out that there were foreign players?"
Asked if he still supported mandatory sentences for those to commit acts of terror given the development, Mr Dutton did not back down from the call.
"We are of the view and absolutely we will implement laws which say for somebody who commits a terrorist attack that there is a mandatory sentence," he said.
"I want this to be a very clear message of deterrence to those, whether they're acting on someone else's behalf, whether they're somebody who has hatred and racism in their motivation.
"I want them to know that there is a penalty to pay in Australia and we're not going to allow these people to go before the courts to get a slap on the wrist."