Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confronted deep-seated concerns about safety among Australians as race-based attacks escalate. In an emotional exchange during the Q+A session, Janet Abadee, a Jewish mother of four, expressed her community’s anguish, stating, “We have suffered because nothing was done.”
Addressing an audience of around 240 voters, alongside viewers from across the nation, Albanese sharpened his political rhetoric ahead of an impending election. Abadee articulated the pain felt within her community: “You’re our leader. There was hate speech, and nothing was done.” She highlighted incidents of hate following the events of October 7, specifically referencing a rally at the Sydney Opera House.
In response, Albanese reiterated his stance, declaring he has “unequivocally condemned” hate speech both then and now. “I’ve called out antisemitism and racism my whole life,” he affirmed, underscoring his commitment to these issues as central to his political identity.
The Prime Minister also addressed concerns from the Muslim community, emphasizing that “your family should feel safe here.” He condemned the attacks on women wearing hijabs, stating, “A woman shouldn’t be attacked in the street for wearing a hijab, and that unfortunately occurs far too often. Once would be too often.”
Ahmad Al Shaimari, a Muslim resident of Melbourne, shared the impact of recent attacks on hijab-wearing women, saying, “I never felt unsafe or insecure in the last 29 years of my life in Australia. However, that sense of safety and security was stripped away from me and my family after the attacks.”
Albanese’s engagement with these communities highlights the urgent need for social cohesion and mutual respect as Australia grapples with the rising tide of hate
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