Federal Budget 2026: Bondi Beach terror attack sparks $600 million package to combat anti-Semitism
More than half a billion dollars will be spent over the next five years to tackle anti-Semitism in Australia in the wake of the Bondi Beach massacre, including $80m to tackle online threats and extremism.
More than $600 million will be spent over the next five years to combat anti-Semitism in Australia in the wake of the Bondi Beach massacre, including $80m to tackle online threats and extremism.
The cohesion package announced in the Federal Budget on Tuesday included funding for Jewish community safety, reform to visa cancellations, and launching a national gun buyback scheme.
It comes as harrowing testimonies continue to pour into the Royal Commission into AntiSemitisim and Social Cohesion — which was sparked after the terror attack at Australia’s most popular beach on December 14.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.More than $130m was earmarked in the Budget to pay for the high-profile public inquiry.
“We’re also taking action to strengthen our national security and national unity since the devastating anti-Semitic terror attack at Bondi Beach,” Treasurer Jim Chalmers said in his Budget speech.
“We’re adopting every recommendation from the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion’s Interim Report and fast‑tracking tougher gun laws through the National Cabinet.”
Almost $219m has been set aside for the immediate response to support victims of the massacre, their families and the broader community.
Jewish security services received $107m in funding and $68.8m was allocated to the Australia Federal Police over the next four years for their National Security Investigations teams.
“There is $600 million for a new Counter‑Terrorism Online Centre, grants to support affected communities and money for our law enforcement agencies to crack down on the hate speech, violent extremism, and terrorism — which has no place in Australia,” Dr Chalmers added.
The budget also allocated $32.6m for a social cohesion public awareness campaign, $41m for several anti-Semitism education programs, and $1m for the eSafety Commissioner to provide advice to address online anti-Semitism.
Across the next five years, $9m was allocated to continue and accelerate the implementation of the national hate crimes and incidents database.
As part of the public education initiatives, the Special Broadcasting Service received $3m over the next three years to continue their “SBS Examines” podcast series.
The Department of Home Affairs will receive $1.1m per year ongoing for the to implement new visa refusal and cancellation grounds, with changes to character tests.
Immigration and visa officers will also receive training about anti-Semitism and hate-related behaviours in a $21.m commitment over three years. The funding will also help to implement a new prohibited hate group listing framework.
So far, more than 9600 people have made submissions to the Royal Commission with testimonies expected to be provided in three hearing blocks throughout the year.
A final report is expected to be handed down on December 14 — which will mark the one year anniversary of the massacre of 15 innocent lives at a Hanukkah festival.
Dozens of people, including family members of victims, witnesses to the attack, Holocaust survivors and experts, have appeared in the first week of public hearings.
Crisis support is available from Lifeline on 13 11 14 and Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.
