Victorians are horrified by this targeted, antisemitic act of terror.
At a time when Jewish families should be coming together safely - they have been targeted.
Victoria must be a place where Jews can come together safely.
It's why the Victorian Government will act immediately to protect Jewish Victorians.
The Government will invest almost $2 million to ensure the Jewish community feels safe, strengthen security at events and school holiday programs and provide greater support for community engagement and outreach.
More security
As Victoria Police ramps up their presence in the heart of Victoria's proud Jewish communities - the Government will deliver funding to ensure they have every resource they need.
This includes $900,000 to support the Community Security Group (CSG) which aims to protect Jewish life in Victoria.
This new funding will support the CSG to deploy further security measures at upcoming community events, school holiday programs and Jewish cultural ceremonies - ensuring Jewish Victorians can come together safely.
A further $250,000 will be provided to increase security at youth summer camps - so all parents can send their children off knowing they will come home safely.
More support
Jewish communities are devastated following this antisemitic act of terrorism.
It's why the Government will provide immediate mental health and wellbeing support to ensure anyone in the community that needs a shoulder to lean on - gets one.
Jewish Community Council of Victoria and the Rabbinical Council of Victoria will each receive $100,000 and JewishCare will receive $280,000 to deliver a range of care and support to our Jewish community.
This includes mental health case work, expanded outreach to young people and expanded outreach to Orthodox Jewish communities.
Tackling extremism
While we wrap our arms around the Jewish community - we will tackle the root causes of these radical, evil beliefs.
It's why the Government is investing $250,000 to deliver a therapeutic intervention program which helps individuals reconnect with their community, build personal strengths, and promote disengagement from violent extremism.
National reforms
We won't stop there.
While this act of terrorism took place in Sydney - it affects every Australian. It's why Victoria strongly supported the work of National Cabinet yesterday.
First Ministers agreed to strengthen gun laws across the nation and have commissioned their Police Ministers and Attorneys-General to develop options, including:
- Accelerating work on standing up the National Firearms Register;
- Allowing for additional use of criminal intelligence to underpin firearms licencing that can be used in administrative licencing regimes;
- Limiting the number of firearms to be held by any one individual;
- Limiting open-ended firearms licencing and the types of guns that are legal, including modifications; and
- A condition of a firearm license is holding Australian citizenship.
First Ministers also reiterated their commitment to the Permanent National Firearms Amnesty to reduce the number of unregistered firearms in the community.
This builds on the work already underway in Victoria which includes recent changes to Firearm Prohibition Orders to stop the spread of illicit firearms.
These changes also delivered tougher bail laws for firearms offences and laws that give police the powers they need to serve Firearm Prohibition Orders to those dodging police to avoid being served.
Continuing to combat antisemitism
Earlier this year the Government passed landmark legislation to strengthen our anti-vilification and social cohesion laws. Our nation-leading anti-vilification offences are now in effect - giving police more powers to deal with people who whip up hate and fear against Victorians because of who they are.
We also established the Local Escalation and Help (LEAH) group to support the Jewish community at a local level, with links directly into Government, as well as delivering on the recommendations of the Lekakis Review to ensure our policies, institutions and personnel are equipped to reject division and stop hate.
Our work will not stop here - we will leave no stone unturned to ensure Jews feel safe and supported in Victoria.
As stated by Premier Jacinta Allan
"My thoughts are with the Jewish community. You belong here and you deserve to feel safe and secure."
"We are acting to deliver more security across your community and ensuring you can get the support you need."
As stated by Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny
"This investment is about keeping the Jewish community safe and protecting their right to practice their religion here in Victoria."
As stated by Minister for Police Anthony Carbines
"We are doing everything in our power, working closely with Victoria Police, to make sure Jewish Victorians are safe and stay safe."
As stated by Minister for Multicultural Affairs Ingrid Stitt
"Hanukkah is a sacred time of light and renewal. No act of hatred can ever be allowed to diminish that and we stand with Jewish Victorians today and every day."
