Australia’s Weak Response to Antisemitic Hate Crime

The Western Wall, Jerusalem

On Feb. 6, Australia’s parliament passed a bill to amend the current crime legislation to include “hate crimes.” Widely criticized as an attack on freedom of speech by conservatives, the legislation, which will become law once it is signed by the Governor-General, was meant to be a demonstration of the government’s response to ongoing antisemitism. Rather than represent action against antisemitism, however, the bill is more talk that does little to address the inaction of authorities at both the state and federal level to prosecute those who have terrorized and continue to terrorize Australia’s Jewish community.

My latest in the Jewish Journal, Australia’s Weak Response to Antisemitic Hate Crime.

Once again, the term antisemitism cannot be uttered by itself, it must be surrounded by a diversity word salad or, in the same breath, included with Islamophobia. https://t.co/fzEtVAPS1q

— Dr Michael de Percy (@FlaneurPolitiq) February 21, 2025

Our Short-Shrifted Academic Journals

What is now The Journal of Telecommunications and the Digital Economy was first published in 1935.

When Australian researchers publish their work, the journal they choose to publish in has implications for their academic careers. Journals are important vehicles for peer-review and a particular journal’s reputation is a useful measure of the quality of the research output. However, the system is often skewed to ignore research focused exclusively on Australian issues.

My first article in Quadrant, Our Short-Shrifted Academic Journals.

Dear farmers, nobody wants to eat fungus-fed beef

Sheep near Gunning NSW

In an era where ‘trusting the science’ is the medieval equivalent of paying to touch a relic to cure cancer, I think it’s time Australians told climate activists who don’t want us eating red meat to go and get stuffed. That is my opinion.

Writing in the Unfiltered newsletter, Alexandra Marshall had this to say:

Side-stepping slightly to agriculture, but still on the topic of idiotic green things, Michael de Percy drags fungus-fed beef over the coals. ‘In an era where ‘trusting the science’ is the medieval equivalent of paying to touch a relic to cure cancer, I think it’s time Australians told climate activists who don’t want us eating red meat to go and get stuffed. That is my opinion.’ I agree with him, but what about you? How do you feel about taxpayer money being spent on fussing about with cattle feed in the name of Net Zero?

 My latest in The Spectator Australia, Dear farmers, nobody wants to eat fungus-fed beef.

Australian scientists announced that they have discovered a way to reduce the methane emissions from livestock - by adding fungus.

The research may be sound, and the fungus may be safe. But I don’t care. I will refuse to eat it.@FlaneurPolitiq https://t.co/6STKp1Bfo1

— The Spectator Australia (@SpectatorOz) February 16, 2025