Lead

The antisemitism royal commission has heard evidence of online hate and abuse directed at federal MP Josh Burns and his partner, Victorian MP Georgie Purcell, with witnesses describing the devastating impact of social media vilification. The inquiry, examining antisemitism and social cohesion, is also considering the role of social media platforms in amplifying hate speech and the need for stronger legal protections.

Coverage Comparison

ABC Australia reported on Josh Burns's call for tougher laws against vilification, highlighting his personal experience with antisemitic attacks, including the vandalism of his electorate office in 2024. The Guardian's coverage focused on the abuse leveled at witnesses to the royal commission and the spread of hate speech and conspiracy theories online, with a tone of outrage and concern.

While both outlets covered the abuse suffered by Burns and Purcell, the Guardian also reported on data analysis showing spikes in hate speech following the Bondi attack, whereas ABC Australia emphasized Burns's specific calls for expanding the eSafety commissioner's powers.

Key Claims

Josh Burns, a federal Victorian MP who is Jewish, has been the target of antisemitic attacks, including the vandalism of his electorate office in Melbourne's St Kilda in June 2024. The inquiry was shown an image of the aftermath, where windows were smashed with a hammer, horns were painted over an image of Burns, and nearby businesses lost internet for a week.

Burns told the inquiry that offensive comments were posted online within hours of the attack, including posts that blamed him for it. One post from the time stated: "This could all end tomorrow though if Josh Burns resigned from parliament. In that sense he's responsible for these attacks and is using his staff as a human shields."

Burns said he could "dust off" the abuse directed at himself, but it was "devastating" to see his partner, Victorian state MP Georgie Purcell, who is not Jewish, subjected to the same harassment. He described the online hate against Purcell as often sexualised and misogynistic in nature.

"It's a weird feeling that your partner has to take abuse because they're in a relationship with you," he said. "Why should she have to deal with that? Even just speaking out [against the abuse] she will attract an avalanche of hate and misogyny."

According to Burns's submission, comments sent to Purcell included: "You root a Zionist. You can't be trusted." Another message, sent after Purcell gave birth to their daughter, read: "Shut the fuck up. You got knocked up by a Zionist, you Nazi cunt."

Burns reported that his office has received thousands of abusive messages, with more than 1,000 phone calls and 10,000 abusive social media messages. He gave examples of abuse directed at him, including being called a "genocidal Zionist" and suggestions that the attack on his office was an inside job.

Burns also reported that his office had reported 40 offensive posts to Facebook and Instagram since November 2021, with just three removed.

The inquiry heard about the impact of antisemitism on Burns's staff after the office vandalism, with Burns saying "probably one of the hardest things" was to have someone you love get abused.

Burns called for a serious vilification offence to protect Australians, with careful consideration given to its implementation and consistency across jurisdictions. He argued that the eSafety commissioner's powers need to be expanded to protect Australians from online hate speech.

The Guardian reported that "vile, threatening abuse" is being leveled at witnesses to the royal commission. The article also cited data analysis showing a spike in antisemitism after the Bondi terror attack and a "huge spike" in anti-Muslim hate. It noted research finding that real incidents reported in the media get circulated on social media, triggering online hate.