Coalition matches Jewish Arts Quarter pledge

The Coalition has responded to the ALP's pitch for the Jewish vote with a matching offer to invest in the Jewish Arts Quarter (JAQ) in Elsternwick.

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles joined local MP Josh Burns on Monday to announce that an ALP government would invest $18 million to support the new cultural hub. Now the Shadow Minister for the Arts, Senator Claire Chandler, has come to the party, announcing a Coalition government would deliver the same funds to JAQ.

JAQ is being developed as a cultural precinct which will include a relocated Jewish Museum of Australia, a redeveloped Kadimah Jewish Cultural Centre and National Library, the new Melbourne Holocaust Museum, and the existing campus of Sholem Aleichem College.

"The Jewish community has made an immense contribution to the culture and fabric of Australia," Senator Chandler said. "This commitment ensures that there will be a dedicated space where this rich history, art and culture will be celebrated."

Labor's decision to promise funds for JAQ is a clear pitch to Macnamara voters. Sitting MP Josh Burns is facing a strong challenge from the Greens, potentially exacerbated by a Jewish drift to the Liberals as a result of disillusionment with Labor over Israel policy and rising antisemitism. Macnamara has a 12% Jewish vote, which could be highly significant given the Greens were less than 2000 votes behind Labor on primary vote in 2022.

The Coalition announcement is more aimed at Goldstein, which has a smaller percentage of Jewish voters but where incumbent Zoe Daniel, a Teal independent, is facing a tight race against Liberal Tim Wilson. Daniel ousted Wilson at the last election but is likely to lose some Jewish votes this time over her criticism of Israel's war against Hamas.

Wilson emphasised the potential role of the Jewish Arts Quarter to educate the wider community.

“This investment is all about embracing Australia’s vibrant Jewish community, which has contributed so much to Australian society. The precinct will showcase Jewish art, history, and cultural exhibits, and be a place for all Australians and those visiting our country to connect and learn about Australia’s Jewish community.”

Macnamara's Liberal candidate Benson Saulo is running a strong campaign with Jewish voters and is likely to gain Jewish votes, but the Liberals would require an unlikely 12.2% swing to win Macnamara. A more likely scenario is a that a strong vote for the Liberals could lead to Labor preferences being distributed and result in a win for Greens candidate Sonya Semmens.

Saulo used the announcement to reiterate the strong line the Coalition is running on antisemitism.

“Since October 7, no part of Australian Jewish life has been untouched by the rise of antisemitism, particularly artists, creatives and businesses. Victims of doxxing have experienced a direct assault on their privacy, their professions and their sense of community,” he said.

“The Jewish Arts Quarter is a celebration of the rich, diverse, and inclusive Jewish culture in Australia. It invites all Australians to build a deeper connection to the Jewish community through art, culture and entertainment.”