Concerns Australia's legal system is failing to combat surge in antisemitism

Australia’s Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism Jillian Segal calling for stricter laws to ensure offenders are held accountable following recent violent attacks and hate speech.

“It’s not just kids playing with graffiti, it’s people who are infected with hate for the Jewish community,” Segal said.

Segal said she felt concerned too many of those who have been charged with hate crimes have escaped serious punishment.

“As people have said to me, it’s not even a slap on the wrist with a wet lettuce leaf,” she said.

Segal wants the prime minister to call a national cabinet meeting to come up with a coordinated national approach on hate crimes.

In a first step last night, Anthony Albanese spoke with the Australian Federal Police, the acting premier of NSW and premier of Victoria.

“I want people who are responsible for these acts to be prosecuted fully,” Albanese said.

While Segal has the prime minister on her side, she said it was the judiciary that was failing Jews in Australia and giving offenders weak sentences.