Dave Sharma (Wentworth, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise today to welcome the federal government's support for important local security infrastructure upgrades in my community of Wentworth, made possible by the federal government's Safer Communities Fund. Round 6 of this program offered a total of approximately $10 million aimed at preventative initiatives to help reduce crime, violence and other security risks that are driven by racial or religious intolerance. The funding is significant to my community because it will enable schools, places of religious worship and community organisations in my own electorate of Wentworth to enhance their security with the installation of such devices as fencing, gates, video surveillance and CCTV cameras and alarm systems.

Unfortunately, Wentworth's Jewish community has been the target of a number of reprehensible attacks in recent years. These demonstrate the need to strengthen security measures to ensure the community can practice their faith in freedom without fear. I am pleased to have helped secure such funding from the government, and I thank the government for the support. Unfortunately examples of anti-Semitism and attacks on the Jewish community and other minority communities are still far too prevalent in Australia. It is important that we do all we can to protect vulnerable communities from this and other forms of bigotry and intolerance. I shall continue to speak up for and help to protect the Australian Jewish community.