Democracy Digest of the day
Continuing her critique of the judges who want to silence their own to protect the institution, Janet Albrechtson asks, “Is this what a judicial cover-up looks like? This is now a far bigger fiasco of the courts’ own making. The apparent instincts of chief justices to close ranks is troubling for the simple reason that their attempt to cover-up judicial delays is worse than the matter they want to cover up.” She is talking about Ian Jackman of the Federal Court whose Robert Speed oration to the Rule of Law Institute castigated several judges for unreasonable delays in delivering their judgements. Like by years.
The court expunged his speech from its website.
With respect your Honours, would it not have been a more, let’s say judicious move, to ask all the judges Jackman helpfully named to explain (in camera) why their decisions were so delayed and thus get an insight into how the problem might be addressed?
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On page 17, of its submission to the Antisemitism Royal Commission, the Australian Jewish Association (AJA), under the heading “Hate preachers & use of mosques to glorify terrorism” points the spotlight at one of the most insidious, overt and too-tolerated displays of Jew-hate in Australia.
“The AJA is concerned by repeated instances of Islamic preachers promoting antisemitic views, extremist ideologies or hostility towards Jews and Israel.
Over recent years, a number of Islamic preachers in Australia have attracted public attention for sermons and statements that demonise Jews#, glorify violence, or promote conspiracy theories concerning Jewish people. AJA believes such conduct contributes to an environment in which antisemitism becomes normalised.
A particularly concerning phenomenon has been the use of some mosques and Islamic centres to commemorate or glorify individuals associated with terrorist organisations. AJA documented numerous instances of Shia mosques and Islamic centres holding events commemorating members of Hezbollah, a proscribed terrorist organisation under Australian law. Similar events were held following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, an avowed antisemite whose regime has been responsible for severe human rights abuses and the violent suppression of dissidents.
AJA was made aware of approximately 34 mosques and Islamic centres that held events commemorating either Hezbollah members or Ayatollah Khamenei. This would represent a significant proportion of Australia’s Shia religious institutions and suggests that the phenomenon cannot be dismissed as isolated or fringe.
AJA submits that the glorification of members of terrorist organisations, or the promotion of individuals associated with extremist ideologies, should be a matter of serious concern for Australian authorities. Such activities undermine social cohesion, contribute to radicalisation and can foster hostility towards Jewish Australians. The Royal Commission should examine the extent to which places of worship, community organisations and religious leaders are being used to promote antisemitic narratives, extremist ideologies or support for proscribed terrorist organisations.”
#I have often remarked on the striking similarities between the performances of Islamic hate preachers and those that I have seen on screen of Adolf Hitler … right down to the gestures and shrieking.
On page 21 of its submission, AJA echoes our own critique of the “Federal Government’s contribution to the growth of antisemitism” in which we published the history of ill-will and demonisation demonstrated by the Albanese Labor Government. “The election of the Albanese Government ushered in a period in which Australia-Israel relations deteriorated significantly and antisemitism in Australia reached unprecedented level…. It is no coincidence that the first Australian government since the creation of the state of Israel to abandon bipartisan policies toward the Jewish State also oversaw the largest surge in anti-Jewish hatred in Australian history,” states the ASJA submission.
“The Royal Commission should examine the extent to which the Albanese government’s actions and rhetoric may have contributed to the rise of antisemitism in Australia.”
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As most people know, it is difficult to exterminate weeds and cockroaches. The latter is best dealt with by a crushing blow. Consider the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps a vicious human weed or cockroach. The fact the IRGC remains the most powerful entity in post-bombing Iran and the obstacle to a popular uprising is a ghastly reminder. But that doesn’t mean the attempt to denuke Iran is not a vital and valid mission.
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One Nation says its leader Pauline Hanson’s safety was compromised when activist group GetUp was able to unfurl a stunt banner behind her as she delivered her speech at the National Press Club. Speaking after Wednesday’s event, Hanson’s chief of staff, James Ashby, said, “there are safety concerns around Pauline’s security”. He demanded the club impose a lifetime ban on the activist group, including the organisation’s media and campaigns lead, David Sharaz. (Yeah, Mr Brittany Higgins.) The club issued an apology to Hanson and said neither its staff nor its contractors had any involvement in the incident and that it was the work of third parties. Footage has been handed to the Australian Federal Police.
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A bit of trivia: does Donald Trump look rather pale at his appearances at the G7 meet in Evian? Could it be he forgot or was unable to take his permanent sunbaked-look machine with him?
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