As the Royal Commission into antisemitism and social cohesion prepares to commence its inquiry, researchers from Monash University have stated that their extensive study on hatred within Australian society can offer significant support to the investigation. The Monash Initiative for Rapid Research into Antisemitism (MIRRA) has dedicated the past year to exploring the various forms antisemitism takes across different sectors, including education, the arts, healthcare, and sports.
Associate Professor David Slucki, director of Monash’s Australian Centre for Jewish Civilisation and the lead on the MIRRA project, emphasized that the Royal Commission could leverage their grassroots approach to understanding this complex issue. “Rather than looking at the problem from 30,000 feet, we’re actually trying to tackle it at a grassroots level,” Slucki noted. He explained that the research team is examining how antisemitism manifests uniquely in different parts of Australian society.
MIRRA has already published reports focusing on antisemitism in the arts sector and has developed a framework to assist universities in addressing the issue. The initiative has trained over 1,000 university leaders across Australia and internationally. Following a recent attack in Bondi, the federal government announced plans to rapidly expand this training initiative. “If you look at universities in 2025 versus 2024, I really do think our work has been having an impact,” Slucki stated.
Research Findings and Sector-Specific Approach
The research team is set to release findings detailing the role of Holocaust education in combating antisemitism, with additional reports scheduled for publication in the first quarter of this year. The programme also assesses how current federal and state laws address antisemitism and supports local councils in their efforts to combat hatred within their communities.
Slucki asserted that MIRRA’s sector-specific approach could provide the Royal Commission with a deeper understanding of the complexities surrounding antisemitism. “The way it manifests in the arts sector or universities will be very different from the healthcare sector, and it’ll have very different implications within those different sectors,” he explained.
Despite these efforts, Slucki cautions against the notion that any single initiative can resolve the issue entirely. He pointed out that antisemitism has historical roots that extend beyond Australia’s borders. “We can’t think that we can solve it in this little vacuum,” he remarked. “But we can try to create a society where it’s not seen as socially acceptable.”
He suggested that the focus should shift from defining antisemitism to changing behaviour. “We can’t change how people think, but what we can change is how they act,” he emphasized. “How do you treat your fellow human beings, your fellow Australians, your neighbours?”
With two research fellows and a growing team, MIRRA is undertaking what Slucki describes as “the most comprehensive research programme looking into antisemitism in Australian society.” The insights from this research could play a vital role in shaping future policies and initiatives to foster social cohesion and reduce antisemitism across the nation.
