ECAJ president urges dignity and respect at the polls

As pre-polling opens across Australia today, Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) president Daniel Aghion KC has called on the Jewish community to uphold dignity and civility during the federal election campaign.

Acknowledging the emotional strain felt by many, Aghion said, “It has been a turbulent and often distressing eighteen-month period, marked by our grief at the October 7 atrocities and the ongoing nightmare for hostages and their families, as well as the surge in antisemitism at home.”

He noted that political differences are to be expected, particularly regarding how Australia should respond to the Israel-Hamas war and to growing antisemitism. “It is the nature of our democracy that we will agree with some parties and candidates on these issues, and disagree with others, sometimes profoundly,” he said.

To assist voters, the ECAJ has distributed questionnaires to major parties and key independents in electorates with significant Jewish populations. It has also hosted forums to help clarify where candidates stand on issues of concern to the community. Aghion encouraged voters to review these responses before casting their ballots.

He reminded community members that asking candidates and volunteers questions at polling centres is a legitimate part of the democratic process. However, such engagement must always be conducted with respect. “Rudeness or abusive behaviour is never acceptable. It is not the Jewish way,” Aghion said.

He concluded by urging voters to “cherish our democracy by always acting in a manner that befits our wonderful community and our great nation.”