SENATOR DEAN SMITH
SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR COMPETITION, CHARITIES AND TREASURY
SENATOR FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA
MEDIA RELEASE
8 November 2024
TERROR LINKED AUSTRALIAN CHARITIES INVESTIGATED AND ANTISEMITISM ON THE RISE
Since the October 7 attacks last year, there have been eight investigations into Australian charities over concerns they are supporting terrorism.
The Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission confirmed the investigations during a Senate Estimates hearing in Canberra last night.
ACNC officials said a total of 146 complaints relating to 26 charities have been received since the conflict began – with 11 complaints related to terrorism or terrorism funding.
Eight of those 11 complaints have been investigated, three of them now finalised and five ongoing.
The ACNC took on notice whether the finalised investigations had resulted in action being taken against the charities involved.
Questioning from Coalition Charities spokesman Senator Dean Smith revealed that while none of the charities investigated had specifically been accused of involvement in antisemitic activities, it has been a growing issue following October 7.
“We had not had concerns raised around antisemitic behaviour prior to the conflict, that is a new area,” officials reported.
The ACNC told the hearing that its existing protocols are capable of dealing with complaints or investigations regarding antisemitism, adding that it works holistically with other regulators to determine which is best placed to manage individual concerns.
Comments attributable to Senator Dean Smith:
“When I first requested data on complaints of terror-related activity by Australian charities in June, it was 51 – the fact that has now jumped to 146 is a clear indication this is a rapidly escalating issue.”
“Australians rightly view the majority of our charity sector as doing an outstanding and credible job to support the community, so they will be confronted to hear that local charities are being investigated for alleged terror links.”
“The ACNC’s confirmation that antisemitic behaviour has emerged as an issue since October 7 is proof of how serious and widespread this problem has become in Australian life.”
“I urge everybody – and especially Labor and Assistant Charities Minister Andrew Leigh – to pay the closest attention to these serious issues for the sector.”
ENDS