Former Australian federal treasurer Josh Frydenberg has launched a scathing attack on the Victorian Premier, accusing her government of allowing citizens to be radicalised ahead of a planned anti-Zionist protest in Melbourne. Frydenberg has joined Jewish leaders in urging Premier Jacinta Allan to ban the rally scheduled for Monday.
Mounting Pressure to Halt 'Unthinkable' Demonstration
The group Anti-Zionism Australia initially planned to gather outside the State Library of Victoria on Saturday, in direct response to the Bondi Beach terror attack in Sydney which claimed 15 lives. The organisers subsequently postponed the event until after Sunday, which marks one week since the massacre. However, their decision to proceed on Monday afternoon has drawn fierce condemnation.
Frydenberg branded the move as 'unthinkable'. 'It will simply pour petrol on the fire of hate - and the government is culpable,' the prominent Jewish Victorian told Nine News. He questioned the logic of the demonstration, stating, 'We have just witnessed Australia's most deadly terrorist attack with 15 innocent people – including 10-year-old Matilda – slaughtered at Bondi Beach. And extremists now want to demonstrate against stronger action to stop anti-Semitism?'
Calls to Shut Down 'Factories of Hate'
Frydenberg escalated his criticism, directly accusing Premier Allan of allowing Melburnians to be radicalised. He called on her government to take decisive action against hate groups. 'Our focus must be on closing down these factories of hate, of stopping these radical Islamic preachers, of prosecuting those who incite violence in our cities,' he asserted.
The political pressure on the Victorian government is intensifying as the city prepares for a tense weekend. Separate rallies organised by the pro-Israel group Lions of Zion and the Put Australia First anti-immigration group are also planned for the Melbourne CBD on Sunday.
In response, Premier Allan urged protesters to avoid the city centre and warned that police would deal with anyone seeking to whip up hatred. A government spokesperson said, 'This is not a time for divisive protests. If you're coming into the city in the coming days to whip up hate you will be dealt with by police.'
Cross-Party Support for a Ban and Broader Fallout
Frydenberg found an unlikely ally in federal Labor Education Minister Jason Clare, who backed calls for the protest to be banned. 'It is unthinkable that these rallies or protests would happen, full stop,' Clare stated on the Today show.
Frydenberg's latest intervention follows his recent criticism of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for failing to address rising antisemitism. He labelled the Bondi attack 'the greatest stain on this nation' and demanded Albanese accept accountability. Frydenberg's proposed actions include:
- Calling a royal commission into the attack.
- Banning extremist preachers and protests.
- Investing in education and enforcing rigorous immigration checks.
- Deporting those who breach Australian laws.
The political repercussions of the Bondi attack are spreading beyond Victoria. In New South Wales, Premier Chris Minns is set to introduce sweeping reforms to the state's hate speech laws. The NSW parliament will reconvene for an urgent sitting this week to consider legislation that will:
- Limit protest rights and ban the display of hate symbols.
- Specifically ban phrases like 'globalise the intifada'.
- Limit gun ownership to four firearms per person.
- Potentially allow protests to be banned for three months following a declared terrorism event.
As Melbourne braces for a series of contentious gatherings, the debate over security, free speech, and social cohesion in the wake of national tragedy continues to dominate the political landscape.
