Top Disappointment (Scumbag) of the Week: Tony Burke

With a surge of questionable decisions and troubling public statements, it’s time to introduce my new “Top Disappointment (Scumbag) of the Week” award. This week’s contenders include prominent figures such as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, former Attorney General Mark Dreyfus, Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan, and others who continue to fall short of genuine leadership.

But this week, the spotlight falls squarely on Tony Burke.

Following the firebombing of the East Melbourne Synagogue and the attack on the Israeli owned restaurant, Miznon, in Melbourne’s CBD, Burke appeared alongside Mark Dreyfus and MP Sarah Witty to condemn the attack as an “assault on Australia,” stating, “The community here was harmed, the Jewish community in Australia was harmed, and we were harmed as a nation.” He assured the Jewish community that they “belong in Australia” and that the government stands in solidarity with them.

Though these words were spoken with conviction, they are nothing but empty words. All talk, no action. Burke’s history with the Jewish community has been fraught with concerning moments—most notably when he reportedly told a former Melbourne Ports MP never to invite him to a Jewish event. Since the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, many feel Burke has failed to firmly oppose the surge in antisemitism, particularly in his Western Sydney electorate, where political considerations seem to have stifled decisive action.

While Burke talks solidarity, critics say his actions have often enabled, normalized, or downplayed the growing hostility toward Jewish Australians. At worst, this looks like gaslighting—symbolic gestures cannot cover up months of inaction. Words alone don’t suffice; the community demands leadership and moral clarity. The government’s prime responsibility is to keep its citizens safe. Does this not apply to certain minorities in our community?

That gap between Burke’s words and his deeds earns him this week’s “Top Disappointment” award.

Only weeks ago, Burke revoked the visa of Israeli-American entrepreneur Hillel Fuld, citing vague “risk to health, safety or good order” under the Migration Act—a decision widely viewed as ideological rather than factual. Hillel was supposed to be a keynote speaker to discuss, innovation, and philanthropy. Similarly, he denied a visa to Israeli MP Ayelet Shaked for her stance against a two-state solution.

Last week, Burke backed the reinstatement of Lebanese-Australian artist Khaled Sabsabi and curator Michael Dagostino as Australia’s representatives at the 2026 Venice Biennale—despite serious public outcry. Sabsabi’s prior artworks, including depictions of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and 9/11 footage, sparked outrage for glorifying extremist figures and conflicting with Australian values.

Burke has also overseen the issuance without proper vetting of nearly 3,000 temporary visitor visas to Palestinians fleeing Gaza since October 2023. Most of these visa holders have since claimed asylum. Eventually they will bring out their families who have all been taught to hate Jews and western civilization. Some have even been seen attending weekly antisemitic rallies.

Meanwhile, pro-Palestinian leaders spew anti-Jewish hatred masked as criticism of Israel, echoing Nazi tactics that seek to normalize hatred and demonize Jews. The Holocaust didn’t start with concentration camps—it began with relentless propaganda. The chants of “From the river to the sea” demand ethnic cleansing of Jews from their historic, biblical, and archaeological homeland. These tactics weaponize terms like “genocide,” “apartheid,” and “ethnic cleansing” to mask hatred.

Yet Burke remains silent or ineffective in confronting this dangerous rhetoric.

Adding to his failings, Burke was implicated in a major security blunder last year, when over 200 detainees—charged with serious crimes including murder, rape, and drug trafficking—were released back into the community. One victim, Perth grandmother Ninette Simons, was left with severe injuries after a violent assault. How can Burke credibly claim to prioritize “public safety” when such dangerous individuals were set free?

The harsh truth is this: Burke avoided confronting politically sensitive issues for fear of accusations of Islamophobia. He chose political convenience over the safety and security of Australians—thereby emboldening groups that promote antisemitic and anti-Western ideologies right here on our soil.

Is this the Australia we aspire to? What happened to the multicultural, tolerant nation our grandparents believed in?
My grandfather, a Holocaust survivor, once said in his Shoah Foundation testimony: “Always be a proud Jew. Never let anyone make you feel like a second-class citizen. Always be proud and be kind to all mankind.” That is the Australia we were raised to cherish. Yet, Tony Burke’s actions tell a different story—one that falls far short of my grandfather’s wisdom and the values Australia claims to uphold.

Tony Burke – don’t play roulette with Australian lives. Someone is bound to get hurt, or worse!

Who is your scumbag of the week?