closeicon
World

Australia elects Jewish politicians

articlemain

As Australia faces its first hung parliament since the 1940s, three Jewish politicians are celebrating their election to the country’s federal parliament.

Michael Danby and Mark Dreyfus are among those who have won seats for the Labor incumbents, while Joshua Frydenberg was elected for the Liberal opposition.

Mr Frydenberg, a former banker who attended Jewish schools and studied at Oxford University, won the safe seat of Kooyong in Melbourne.

Kooyong has never been held by a Jewish politician before, while there has not been a Liberal Jewish politician in nearly two decades.

Mr Frydenberg has served as an adviser to the one-time Australian prime minister John Howard and to the former Australian foreign minister.

Mr Danby, known for his support of Israel, was returned to the Melbourne seat he has held for 22 years.

Mr Dreyfus, whose father emigrated to Australia during the Holocaust, also won a second term representing a constituency in Victoria.

During the election campaign the leaders of the two main parties, Labor’s Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott for the Liberals, both emphasised their commitment to Israel.

Mr Abbott described his party's bond with the Jewish state as "unshakeable" and Ms Gillard visited Israel as part of a delegation from the Australia Israel Leadership Forum.

Share via

Want more from the JC?

To continue reading, we just need a few details...

Want more from
the JC?

To continue reading, we just
need a few details...

Get the best news and views from across the Jewish world Get subscriber-only offers from our partners Subscribe to get access to our e-paper and archive