Leaders congratulate Labor on election victory

Anthony Albanese addresses his supporters following the ALP’s victory Photo: Lucas Koch/AAP
The relationship between the Jewish community and the Albanese Government has been under strain. There are real issues: foreign policy decisions and responses to antisemitism that have challenged a sense of trust. But renewing that trust is in the national interest, and we believe it is both necessary and possible.”
We welcome the pre-election commitments made by the government to increase security funding for the Jewish community, to combat antisemitism, and to support social cohesion. These commitments matter, and we look forward to working together to ensure they are implemented fully and faithfully. We also acknowledge and thank Peter Dutton and the Liberal Party for their unequivocal support for the Jewish community and for the Australia-Israel relationship.
Labor has a proud legacy of supporting Israel and the Jewish community, and bipartisan support has long been a hallmark of Australia’s foreign policy. We hope this new term provides an opportunity to return to that spirit of principled consensus and bi-partisan support.
The Jewish community will continue to advocate for itself with strength and purpose; defending our values, deepening our partnerships, and contributing to the democratic fabric of this country.”
We also extend congratulations to Jewish members who were re-elected: Mark Dreyfus, Josh Burns and Mike Freelander from Labour and Liberal Julian Leeser.
However, we regret the loss to the Parliament of staunch friends of the Jewish community, including Peter Dutton and several of his colleagues, thank them for their principled support and for their service to the nation, and wish them well for the future.”
Dr Rubenstein added, “The dismal results for the Greens show that Australia has rejected its hatred and divisive rhetoric. This election victory represents an opportunity for the Labor Government to push back more strongly against the unprecedented levels of antisemitism, hate speech and incitement to violence we have experienced over the last 19 months. This should include better explaining to the public Australia’s unique model of multiculturalism, emphasising not only the rights it affords but also the overriding responsibilities it requires and which need to be enforced, particularly regarding complying with the rule of law, mutual respect and gender equality.
We also hope to see a return to the longstanding bipartisan position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This includes an insistence that all issues can only be resolved through direct negotiations, and an acceptance that premature recognition of a non-existent Palestinian state will be detrimental to peacemaking. We hope the next government will be alive to the twin-pronged threat of Iran’s illegal nuclear program and its regional meddling, both of which threaten the stability of the entire Middle East.”