Segal’s antisemitism report urges bold reforms across education, media and migration

In response to a 300% surge in antisemitic incidents across Australia,  a landmark action report was today launched with the support of the government, aimed at combating anti-Jewish hatred.

This unprecedented move threatens to strip funding from schools, universities, cultural bodies, and charities that fail to take action against antisemitism.

The Special Envoy’s Plan to Combat Antisemitism, spearheaded by Jillian Segal, outlines a comprehensive strategy to address antisemitism through education, legal reform, visa screening, institutional accountability, and digital regulation.

Since the October 7 Hamas attacks and Israel’s military response, reports of antisemitism in Australia have increased eightfold, according to Segal.

“Education is central,” Segal said. “It shapes not only what young Australians know, but how they think and how they treat others. This plan promotes a nationally consistent approach to teaching about the history, harms, and modern forms of antisemitism.”

The 44-page report proposes strong consequences for institutions that ignore or enable antisemitism. Public funding would be tied to accountability, with universities, charities, and cultural bodies required to adopt clear definitions of antisemitism, respond to incidents, and uphold rigorous standards. A “report card” system will evaluate universities, and organisations promoting hate could lose tax-deductible status.

Key recommendations include:

• Embedding Holocaust and antisemitism education in the national curriculum.
• Defunding universities and institutions that fail to combat antisemitism.
• Introducing a university “report card” system to track accountability.
• Screening visa applicants and deporting non-citizens who promote antisemitism.
• Revoking charitable status from groups spreading antisemitic ideologies.
• Requiring public institutions to adopt the IHRA definition of antisemitism.
• Strengthening hate crime legislation at federal and state levels.
• Regulating social media platforms to curb hate speech and bot-driven content.
• Monitoring AI platforms and media to ensure accurate, impartial coverage and suppress distorted narratives.

One of the plan’s key measures targets the flow of public money. Universities, cultural institutions, and charities that fail to act against antisemitism could lose government funding under the proposed reforms. Funding agreements would include mandatory antisemitism clauses, and organisations promoting hate could be stripped of tax-deductible status. The report makes clear that protecting free expression does not extend to funding hate.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese strongly endorsed the plan, declaring that “there is no place in Australia for antisemitism” and warning that the recent surge in hate-fuelled incidents was “despicable and won’t be tolerated.”

He acknowledged that antisemitism had risen to “deeply troubling levels” since the outbreak of war in the Middle East and said the government would act swiftly on parts of the plan, while other measures would require longer-term work.

Albanese also stressed the need for cooperation between government and civil society “every day, every week, every month, every year,” and criticised the media for amplifying hate, referencing a segment on the ABC in which a woman appeared to justify the violent storming of a Melbourne restaurant.

The plan follows a series of alarming attacks: the firebombing of a Jewish childcare centre in Maroubra in January; the arson attacks at Mizrachi Synagogue, Melbourne and East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation while 20 people were inside; and the violent invasion of Israeli restaurant Miznon in Melbourne, where patrons were assaulted and property destroyed. AFP has confirmed 15 antisemitic incidents so far this year.

Jewish leaders endorse the plan’s strength and scope

The Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) has strongly endorsed the plan. President Daniel Aghion said:

“This is a very well-considered plan. Its release could not be more timely, given the appalling events we’ve seen recently. We call on all sectors of society, including universities, education authorities, online platforms, and government agencies, to cooperate and give this action plan full force and effect.”

NSW Jewish Board of Deputies President David Ossip echoed that view:

“This plan is not just symbolic; it has teeth. Proposals to defund universities that fail to protect Jewish students and cut funding to creatives who enable hate speech show this is a serious response. We thank the Envoy for her leadership and look forward to working with the NSW Government to ensure these recommendations are implemented.”

Zionist Federation of Australia President Jeremy Leibler added:

“We welcome the comprehensive and significant report, and support the report’s wide-ranging recommendations, particularly the national adoption and practical application of the IHRA definition, strengthening hate crime laws, reforming university accountability, ensuring migration practices protect community safety and reflect Australian values, enhancing digital regulation, and ongoing security support for the Jewish community.”

The Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC) also welcomed the release of Jillian Segal’s plan, urging the Albanese Government to adopt and implement it “urgently and vigorously.” AIJAC Executive Director Dr. Colin Rubenstein said the plan “would be welcome at any time, but events of the past week have highlighted how serious the antisemitism problem in Australia remains, and the urgency of strong and determined government action to do more about it.”

Dr. Rubenstein praised the government for establishing the role of Antisemitism Envoy and for the Prime Minister’s strong statements at the report’s launch. He described the plan as a vital framework for reform across policing, education, media, arts, online hate, and migration, and called its release “a major watershed in the vitally important fight against antisemitism in our country.”

Israeli Ambassador to Australia Amir Maimon welcomed the release of the national plan, calling it “an important and timely initiative.” He thanked Special Envoy Jillian Segal and the Albanese government for recognising the urgency of the issue, adding: “The real test now lies in swift and effective implementation.”

Opposition Deputy Leader Sussan Ley welcomed the release of Segal’s report, saying it “will go some way to assuaging the fears and concerns of Jewish Australians.” But she warned that words were not enough, urging the government to move swiftly from consultation to action. “What I hear from the community is that there have been many task forces, many talkfests, many conversations and many words. What they are really calling for is action.” Ley also called on the Prime Minister to personally meet with Jewish communities affected by recent attacks and to show national leadership on the issue.

To ensure long-term change, Segal will provide annual progress reports to government, tracking implementation and holding institutions to account. The Albanese government is expected to formally respond to the recommendations in the coming weeks.