Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion

The Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion is one of the most important inquiries in Australia's recent history, and your voice matters. Whether you have experienced antisemitism directly, witnessed it in your school, workplace or community, or simply want to see stronger action taken, the Commission needs to hear from you. The more Australians who come forward - and particularly members of our Jewish community here in Wentworth - the stronger the evidence base for real, lasting change.

More information about the Royal Commission can be found here: Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion

Interim Report Released

On April 30 2026, the Interim Report was tabled in Parliament. You can read the report here and my response here. 

Make a submission to the Royal Commission by 14 June 2026

I encourage every member of our community to take a few minutes to share their experience or views. This is our opportunity to ensure that what happened at Bondi on 14 December 2025 is never allowed to happen again.

Members of the public and institutions are invited to make submissions to the Commission using an online form. More information and a link to the form can be found here: Submissions

Submissions are open until 14 June 2026 and can be made confidentially.

A National Legal Advice Service has been established to assist individuals who want to engage with the Royal Commission. The service provides independent, trauma-informed and culturally safe legal advice to members of the public, including family members, carers and supporters. Two advice providers are available:

National Legal Aid

Phone 1800 976 198

Email: [email protected]

Web: https://nationallegalaid.org.au/national-services/rcasc-legal-help

Jewish Centre for Law and Justice

Web: https://jclj.org/jcljlegalservicesltd#royal

Delivered:

As co-chair of the Parliamentary Friends of International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), I have worked extensively on national action to combat antisemitism. I have helped deliver:

• [/] Australia’s first Antisemitism Envoy – whose appointment I lobbied hard over many months and who I will continue to work closely with to combat antisemitism across Australia.
• [/] Extensive work with the Australasian Union of Jewish Students (AJUS) and Vice Chancellors to combat antisemitism at universities – including personal meetings with 5 university leaders. Even before October 7, action I had driven led 5 universities to adopt the IHRA antisemitism definition.
• [/] New laws to criminalise doxxing and Nazi Symbols – which already been used to prosecute offenders.
• [/] $8.5 million for the Sydney Jewish Museum – as well as securing grants for 7 Jewish organisations in Wentworth, the Community Security Group, and Executive Council of Australian Jewry.

My focus has also been on practical, local action to promote community cohesion and respond to the disgusting antisemitic incidents that have occurred in Sydney’s east. My actions have included:

• [/] Working closely with NSW Police – to ensure a strong presence in Sydney’s east and that perpetrators of recent attacks are brought to justice. I meet on a weekly basis with the Operation Shelter leadership.
• [/] Established Wentworth’s Faith Leaders Forum – to coordinate local action among our religious leaders that promotes community cohesion.
• [/] Coordinated action with local School Principals of independent, faith and public schools – to promote understanding about the dangers of antisemitism and share best practices for stamping it out.

Future Plans:

We need to take stronger action on antisemitism in government and across society. My priorities are:

• [/] Stronger federal laws to protect the Jewish community from hate – by criminalising serious vilification and ensuring that hate preachers can be successfully prosecuted for their crimes.
• [/] Joint action across the Federal and State Governments – through convening a National Cabinet or similar body to ensure a consistent approach to legislation, policing, sentencing, and education.
• [/] A judicial inquiry into antisemitism at universities – to hold universities accountable for their failure in recent months to create a safe environment for Jewish students.

Speeches in parliament:

• November 2025 - Allegra convenes Wentworth's first student led social cohesion roundtable - Watch here
• February 2025 - Allegra moves a Motion condemning antisemitism - Watch here
• November 2024 - 'Doxxing' legislation - Read here
• October 2024 - October 7 motion - Read here
• August 2024 - Holocaust Remembrance - Read here
• June 2024 - Calls for the IRGC to be recognised as a terrorist organisation - Read here
• February 2024 - Antisemitism at universities - Read here
• November 2023 - Banning Nazi symbols - Read here
• November 2023 - Antisemitism and social cohesion - Read here
• November 2023 - Social cohesion in schools and celebrating Hanukkah - Read here
• October 2023 - October 7 terrorist attacks and the Sydney Opera House protests - Read here
• August 2023 - Celebrating the winners of the Mikolot speaking competition - Read here 
• March 2023 - International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance and antisemitism at universities - Read here
• November 2022 - Withdrawing recognition of West Jerusalem - Read here
• September 2022 - International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance - Read here
• September 2022 - Antisemitism in Sydney schools - Read here

Watch and Listen:

• Vandals spray graffiti and burn a car in latest anti-Semitic attack in Woollahra - ABC 7.30 News
• Community ‘devastated’ following anti-Semitic attack in Sydney - ABC News
• 'Community is devastated' following anti-Semitic attack in Sydney - ABC RN listen
• Many Jewish Australians feel this is the ‘hardest year in living memory’ - Sky News
• ‘Not helping our country’: Greens blasted for ‘grandstanding’ on Israeli sanctions - Sky News
• 'Australia voting for Palestine UN membership sends ‘wrong message’ to Hamas' – Sky News
• 'Allegra Spender has ‘always supported’ a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine' – Sky News
• 'Australians are ‘responsible’ for making clear there is ‘no place’ for anti-Semitism' – Sky News
• ‘Absolutely clear’ rise in anti-Semitism around the world – Sky News
• Australian communities ‘incredibly traumatised’ by Israel-Hamas conflict: Allegra Spender – Sky News
• ‘Disappointing’: MP slams Greens for refusing to condemn Hamas attacks – Sky News
• Independent MP says her community is ‘absolutely devastated’ following Hamas attacks – Sky News
• Teal MP reaffirms her stance with Jewish community through ‘this absolutely terrible time’ – Sky News
• ‘Appalling’: MP slams ‘anti-Semitic’ protests outside Sydney Opera House – Sky News
• Allegra discusses the importance of action on antisemitism - ABC News
• Allegra's speech in Parliament regarding antisemitism and the Middle East - Watch here. 

Read:

• This is not for the Jewish community to dissolve alone - December 2025 - here
• Allegra Spender statement on combatting antisemitism at universities - February 2025  - here
• Allegra Spender statement ahead of proposed amendment to Hate Speech laws - February 2025 - here 
• Allegra Spender urges greater protection against hate crimes - November 2024 - here
• Allegra Spender statement regarding Iran attack - August 2025 - here
• Wentworth faith leaders' statement - December 2024 - here
• Allegra Spender calls for judicial inquiry into antisemitism on campus - June 2024 - here
• Sydney's Eastern Suburbs schools unite to tackle antisemitism - J-Wire
• Roundtable highlights need for education, clearer responses to antisemitism - The Australian Jewish News
• Beyond politics: Allegra Spender’s independent commitment to Israel and Wentworth’s Jewish community - J-Wire
• AJN UN Motion comments – Australia votes for immediate Gaza ceasefire at UN – The Australian Jewish News
• Ryvchin’s book on antisemitism reaches every member of parliament - J-Wire
• Allegra Spender on October 7 - The Australian Jewish News
• USYD investigating ‘inappropriate’ student conduct – The Australian Jewish News
• Anti-Semitism Envoy 'Government acts on hatred' – The Australian Jewish News
• Teal Pair Call for IRGC Ban ‘Promoter of Terrorism’ – The Australian Jewish News
• Cross bench MPs calls on the government to deal with university antisemitism – J-Wire 
• Courage to Care Program 'Need for education more important than ever' – The Australian Jewish News
• Supporting a Judicial Inquiry into Antisemitism – The Australian
• Rabbinical Council meets with PM in Wentworth 'PM vows to ‘do more’ to tackle antisemitism' – The Australian Jewish News
• Condemning University Encampments – The Australian
• Teal MP Allegra Spender calls out ‘distressing’ anti-Jew hate – The Australian
• Cross-party MPs back Jewish community push to outlaw doxxing – The Sydney Morning Herald
• Parliament ‘stands with Israel’ in dark hour – The Australian Jewish News
• Sydney Opera House ‘screw up’ lambasted by political, religious leaders amid operational autopsy – The Australian
• ‘Nobody should feel afraid’ Allegra Spender – news.com.au
• Vic Alhadeff sits down with Allegra Spender, who has been outspoken in supporting the Jewish community since the Hamas attacks - Plus61J
• Sydney MPs and Jewish leaders condemn antisemitic posters - The Australian
• Allegra Spender worked for the community in 5783 - The Australian Jewish News