On 10 July, Australia’s Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism, Jillian Segal AO, appointed last year by the Albanese government, published her Plan to Combat Antisemitism.  It has already come under attack from many quarters, especially for urging the nationwide adoption of a contested definition of antisemitism, and for its call for universities, researchers, cultural institutions, and public broadcasters to have their funding withdrawn if they encourage, or do not do enough to combat, antisemitism.

Among the more prominent targets of the Plan are the public broadcasters, which it proposes should be monitored by the Special Envoy who would “assist” them to avoid “distorted narratives” and to follow their own editorial policies.

Alumni director Jonathan Holmes argues that, if implemented, the Plan would simply exacerbate the pressure the ABC is under to avoid reporting truths that are unwelcome to the more vocal supporters of Israel.