Buget for social division

May 18, 2026

I agree with the need of a broad vision for social cohesion but this not reflected in the Federal Budget. Approximately $600 million has been allocated to fight antisemitism. What is defined as antisemitism is to be determined but the indication from the Royal Commission is worrying i.e. criticism of Israel is antisemitism. There was no funding in the budget to fight Islamophobia. The Special Envoy to combat Islamophobia submitted a report to the Federal Government in September last year. The Government is giving it “careful consideration”. Presumably priority careful consideration was given to the $600 million. According to the 2021 Census, 99,956 Australians identify Judaism as their religion and the number of Australian Muslims is 813,392