Former ASIO chief urges open debate on extremist Islam and rising antisemitism

Dennis Richardson, former head of ASIO, addressed the Lowy Institute and argued that the nation "dropped the ball" in confronting antisemitism that surged after the October 7 attacks and the Gaza conflict. He contended that a more forceful response could have drawn a clearer line between acceptable and unacceptable speech. Richardson called for a mature, open discussion of extremist Islamist elements while ensuring ordinary Australian Muslims are not collectively targeted, and urged mainstream Muslim leaders to take a leading role.

He highlighted the disparity in media attention between Israel Folau’s homophobic posts and the barely reported inflammatory comments by clerics such as Wissam Haddad, which a Federal Court judge deemed racist and antisemitic. Richardson also noted his resignation from the royal commission’s advisory panel and expressed concern that the commission would not deliver substantive intelligence or policing reforms. He warned that continued security needs for Jewish Australians threaten the country's social cohesion unless addressed.