CONTESTED GROUND: Australia’s efforts to combat extremism, anti-Semitism, and balance freedom

Joint-capabilities
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By: Noemie Veñegas

In this episode of the Contested Ground Podcast, hosts Phil Tarrant, Major General (Ret’d) Dr Marcus Thompson, and Steve Kuper discuss the Australian government’s legislative efforts to combat anti-Semitism, hatred, and violent extremism in Australia.

In this episode of the Contested Ground Podcast, hosts Phil Tarrant, Major General (Ret’d) Dr Marcus Thompson, and Steve Kuper discuss the Australian government’s legislative efforts to combat anti-Semitism, hatred, and violent extremism in Australia.

The trio unpack the legislative proposal and political considerations that have shaped the Albanese government’s Combating Anti-Semitism, Hate and Extremism Bill 2026, developed in the aftermath of the terrorist shooting at a Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach, Sydney, which resulted in at least 15 deaths and over 40 injuries on 14 December 2025.

The trio also discuss the fine line between balancing national security, freedom, protesting and religious liberties as a democracy and the different requests identified by the opposition, Greens and other minor parties ahead of the debate.

Enjoy the podcast,
The Contested Ground Team

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Listen to previous episodes of the Defence Connect podcast:

Episode 11: THE PROGRESS REPORT: The mission to make military children visible
Episode 10: PODCAST: Righting the ship, balancing the force, with Senator James Paterson, shadow minister for defence
Episode 9: SPOTLIGHT: Modern electronic warfare, spectrum congestion and the Australian defence ecosystem, with DEWC Services’ Rian Whitby
Episode 8: CONTESTED GROUND: The intersection of finance, organised crime, terrorism and foreign interference, with Keith Bulfin
Episode 7: CONTESTED GROUND: The fragility of Australia’s energy ecosystem, with AVM (Ret’d) John Blackburn AO
Episode 6: PODCAST: The MC-55A Peregrine and the future of ADF airborne reconnaissance, with Alan Clements
Episode 5: CONTESTED GROUND: Australia faces fallout closer to home as Iran continues to fight back
Episode 4: PODCAST: AUKUS infrastructure, public perceptions and nuclear-powered submarines, with Fred Thomas MP
Episode 3: THE PROGRESS REPORT: From the cockpit to the dockyard
Episode 2: PODCAST: Iran escalation, munitions supplies and the Middle East’s path to peace

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