Australia news LIVE: Terror police hunt for synagogue fire suspects; Dutton won’t use indigenous flags as PM
As Prime Minister Anthony Albanese calls for political unity on antisemitism, Liberal Senator James Paterson has defended the Coalition’s attacks on the government’s handling of the issue following the Melbourne synagogue terror attack.
Speaking to ABC News Breakfast, Paterson repeated his criticism of senior members of the government for not yet visiting the Adass Israel synagogue. He also argued the government’s antisemitism taskforce was not actually a taskforce but a special operation.
“It sounds like a subtle distinction but it’s an important one. A special operation is a routine thing,” Paterson said.
Paterson was then asked about ASIO chief Mike Burgess’ call for public figures to tone down their language and avoid sowing division, stating that political parties need to come together and build bridges.
It was a sentiment also promoted by Albanese on Monday: “This is a time where the country should be looking for national unity, not looking for areas of distinction and difference over every issue.”
Josh Burns (centre right) claims James Paterson (speaking) agreed to read out his words before Peter Dutton intervened.Credit: Arsineh Houspian
The opposition home affairs spokesperson replied that politicians need to be “measured and calm in our language”, but defended his criticisms as “the job of the opposition to hold a government to account for what they see as failings”.
“The president of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry was quoted in the papers saying he hasn’t been contacted by any senior minister of the government over this weekend, he and the Jewish community feel like they have been abandoned,” Paterson said.
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Paterson was also asked if it was appropriate for Opposition Leader Peter Dutton to personally attack Jewish MP Josh Burns for failing to “stand up” to Albanese on tackling antisemitism.
“Peter said that Josh is a good guy, we’re often at the same events. The Labor Party has stopped listening to Josh a long time ago,” Paterson said.
“I don’t go to a Jewish community function without someone coming up to me, saying they’re a lifelong member of the Labor Party, but this time they won’t be supporting the Labor Party.”
The appearance on News Breakfast came just before Burns told RN Breakfast Dutton had intervened to stop Paterson from reading a statement on Burns’ behalf when he lost his voice.
