Watch: Antisemitic vandalism sparks MP’s call for national action

A Sunshine Coast MP has pointed to a recent spate of Nazi graffiti, targeting his political signs, as further proof that the country’s unprecedented antisemitism crisis is worsening.

Fisher MP, Andrew Wallace, serves as the Deputy Chair of Parliament’s powerful intelligence and security committee and chair of the Australia-Israel Allies Caucus, and has been one of the nation’s strongest voices in the fight against antisemitism. He led the campaign to criminalise the Nazi salute in addition to other Nazi logos and hate symbols.

Over the weekend, a number of Mr Wallace’s signs were defaced with the banned Nazi Hakenkreuz, prompting significant public outcry.

“I have never seen antisemitism as widespread and prevalent on the Sunshine Coast as we are experiencing today. Online and on our streets, we are confronting an antisemitism crisis – and it’sonly getting worse,” Mr Wallace warned.

“Bigger cities might be accustomed to this kind of thing, but here on the Sunshine Coast, we have prided ourselves on being the most secure, welcoming, and thoughtful community. I’m absolutely appalled by this behaviour,” Mr Wallace said.

“This virulent antisemitism threatens the safety and character of our community, and it demands strong leadership. It demanded strong leadership 18 months ago, when terror apologists converged on the steps of the Sydney Opera House. It demanded strong leadership 4 months ago, when the Adass Israel Synagogue was firebombed, in scenes reminiscent of Kristallnacht,” Mr Wallace said. “Australia’s antisemitism crisis demands strong leadership, and AnthonyAlbanese, supported by his Teal and Green allies, has proven incapable and in fact, unwilling, to stand up to antisemitism and hate.”

“It’s time for Australians to stand up, speak up, and show up for the Jewish community. Report graffiti and all forms of antisemitism to the police and stamp it out in conversation and online. And importantly, ask yourself how we got here. The answer is simple: weak leadership, poor decisions,and wrong priorities from Anthony Albanese,” Mr Wallace.

Peter Dutton and the LNP have put forward a plan to get Australia back on track, by making communities safer and imposing real consequences for antisemitism. It includes commitments to:

• Set up a dedicated antisemitism taskforce led by the Australian Federal Police

• Direct the Antisemitism Taskforce to refer any visa holders involved in acts of antisemitism for immediate cancellation and deportation and strengthen the character test under migration law.

• Prioritise antisemitic offences, including doxing, as a matter of operational urgency.

• Establish a judicial inquiry into antisemitism on Australian campuses

• Provide $35 million to assist with the rebuilding of the Adass Israel Synagogue following the horrific arson attack in December 2024.

• Commit $8.5 million to see the Centre of Jewish Life and Tolerance become a reality.

• Deliver the $32.5 million security funding package requested by the Executive Council ofAustralian Jewry.

• Provide $7.5 million over three years in additional funding to Crime Stoppers to enable Crime Stoppers to expand its operations and protect more Australians from the devastating impact of crime in local communities and helping address the antisemitism and extremism crisis.

Mr Wallace said he had reported the criminal offences to Queensland Police and urged them to undertake whatever means necessary to arrest these brazen criminals who seek to divide our nation and make it less secure. “Over the last 9 years I’ve had plenty of my election signs damaged and defaced, which is in itself a criminal offence, but this is beyond the pale and an affront to the dignity of Jewish Australians who have a right to live their lives in peace. We are better than this.”

Over the weekend, a number of Mr Wallace’s signs were defaced with the banned Nazi Hakenkreuz, prompting significant public outcry.