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One of Australia’s most senior Catholics has stressed that the church did not want its call for an inquiry into antisemitism in Australia to be politicised, while urging the government to undertake a deeper examination of how the ancient hatred has spread through the nation.
The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference has stopped short of advocating for a royal commission wanted by the families of victims, a call now supported by the Business Council of Australia, over 100 captains of industry, more than 200 judges and barristers, the Coalition, and two of Albanese’s backbenchers.
Melbourne’s Catholic archbishop, Peter Comensoli, says a national inquiry into antisemitism is needed.Credit: Joe Armao
Melbourne Archbishop Peter Comensoli said on Friday the bishops did not want to suggest what form an inquiry takes, but said Australia needed to examine how the “utter darkness” of antisemitism had become ingrained in some parts of society.
“Many voices now are calling for some serious inquiry, and I think that the government might be able to hear that and respond in a positive way. I think [that] would be a significant move,” Comensoli said.
“There is importance that this is not politicised, but that there is a deep call for an examination and ways of naming and then addressing [antisemitism].”
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He said antisemitism had “exploded” since Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, but had been present in Australian society for considerably longer.
The religious leaders were joined on Friday by the Business Council of Australia (BCA), which leant its weight to calls for a royal commission following an open letter from eminent industry figures urging the inquiry be launched.
The BCA said a royal commission was essential to supporting diverse workplaces and would show the world Australia was serious about tackling antisemitism.
“Without sustainably safe and cohesive workplaces and communities, we cannot deliver prosperity for all Australians, which is the ultimate objective underpinning the advocacy and efforts of our organisations,” the group said in a statement.
The BCA, Australia’s peak business lobby, released the statement on behalf of eight other top industry bodies, including the Australian Banking Association, Australian Institute of Company Directors, Australian Industry Group, Australian Retailers Association, the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia, the Insurance Council of Australia, Master Builders Australia and the Minerals Council of Australia.
The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry did not sign the joint statement, with chief executive Andrew McKellar saying the organisation’s focus had been on working directly working with government on a comprehensive response.
“We have strongly urged that no stone be left unturned in addressing the causes and consequences of this tragedy,” he said in a statement.
Former Victorian Liberal premiers Ted Baillieu, Denis Napthine and Jeff Kennett have also leant their voices to the call for a royal commission.
Australian Catholic Bishops Conference president, Archbishop of Perth Timothy Costelloe, welcomed the government’s inquiry into security agencies but said more needed to be done.
“It is only by shining a light into the dark corners of our society - including its political, business, academic, media, religious, and cultural institutions - that we can hope to unmask the antisemitism which might otherwise go unseen, unacknowledged and unaddressed,” Costelloe said in a statement on Thursday night.
“For that reason, alongside the Richardson review, some form of wider, national inquiry with sufficient authority and resourcing which can probe into the deeper issues which lie at the heart of antisemitism is needed.”
Neither the Australian National Imams Council nor the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils (AFIC) put forward their view on a national inquiry.
Both have strongly condemned the Bondi attack, while AFIC has previously said its position on a royal commission would depend on its scope.
“The purpose of any inquiry must be to uncover truth, not reinforce a narrative,” AFIC president Rateb Jneid said last month.
“We are concerned that a narrow or politicised process would serve only to entrench fear and division.”
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