Wednesday, 5 February 2025

Community safety

David DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan) (09:50): I join with my colleague in expressing concern about antisemitism and the risks and threats that are faced by not just the Jewish community but many others in this state. Indeed there was the timely letter by the City of Glen Eira in the last 24 hours – the current mayor and four previous mayors joining together to say that the threats and the violence have got to stop. They have called on the Premier to act and ensure that there are greater policing resources deployed to make sure that there is actually proper –

Members interjecting.

David DAVIS: You will agree with me about the significance of that letter.

Ryan Batchelor: I am just saying the chief commissioner has the power to do that, not the Premier, under the police act. Read the legislation, Mr Davis, before you come in here.

David DAVIS: Well, the state government sometimes needs to provide resources for the Chief Commissioner of Police – that is what I said – the resources for the police to undertake the work that is required. The letter, as noted, was to the Premier, and the Premier needs to respond to that letter. The antisemitism is actually completely and utterly unacceptable, but the letter makes the point that the threats and the violence are actually broader than antisemitic matters as well.

Ryan Batchelor: You did not even read it, Mr Davis.

David DAVIS: I did. I actually read it aloud into the transcript here last night, so I am sorry, the member is wrong.