Former Labor Minister Calls for Debate on Islams Role in Democracies

Former Labor Minister Dr Gary Johns (L) and Australian Jewish Association President Robert Gregory (R) at the 2026 Melanie Phillips Annual Lecture Series in Brisbane, Australia, on Feb. 26, 2026. Jerry Zhu/The Epoch TimesBRISBANE, Australia—Former Labor Minister Gary Johns has suggested debating the role of Islam in modern democratic systems, and halting taxpayer-backed funding to multicultural initiatives, in a sweeping proposal to deal with anti-Semitism.Speaking at the Virginia International Hotel in Brisbane, Johns addressed attendees of the Melanie Phillips Annual Lecture Series hosted by the Jewish Association of Australia where he laid out recommendations on the response to the Bondi Beach terror attack.