Former prime minister Scott Morrison has accused Anthony Albanese of “seeking to shift blame” to his government over the rise in anti-Semitism.
Albanese told parliament on Tuesday that both red and blue governments “should have done better”.
“The idea that anti-Semitism began two years ago, with the change of government, is false and it’s declared to be false by the comments of those opposite in senior positions,” he said.
“Despite the surge in anti-Semitism on their watch, did the Morrison government appoint a special envoy to combat anti-Semitism?”
Responding to the comments overnight, Morrison called them “pathetic”.
“His empty and ambivalent response to the October 7 terrorist attacks on Israel abrogated his responsibility for national leadership and created a dangerous vacuum that was filled by the worst streams of anti-Semitism this country has ever seen, producing a fivefold increase in anti-Semitic incidents, culminating in the extremist Islamist attack at Bondi on December 14,” Morrison posted on social media.
“His meandering and weak response to this attack left Australians embarrassed and the Australian Jewish community devastated.
“Hamas never praised the actions of my government, but they did praise Mr Albanese’s government.”
Anti-Semitism has surged in Australia following Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel in 2023.
More than 1,200 were killed as Hamas militants carried out a deadly rampage across southern Israel.
Hundreds more were taken hostage and dragged back into Gaza.
Much of the violence was filmed and later circulated online, where it was praised by supporters of the Palestinian Islamist group.
Israel’s subsequent two-year military campaign in Gaza resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of Palestinians, while severe restrictions on aid prompted warnings of famine and left civilians without access to vital medical supplies.
The Israeli offensive triggered protests worldwide, including regular demonstrations in Australia’s major cities, where anti-Semitic chants and slogans became the norm.
Asked about Morrison’s comments on Wednesday, Albanese said his predecessor “can make whatever comments he likes”.
He referenced the Coalition’s previous attempt to wind back racial discrimination laws, noting former attorney-general George Brandis’ controversial remark that people have “a right to be bigots”.
Jewish community leaders opposed the proposed changes at the time.
“We have strengthened hate laws,” Albanese said.
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