In my 1.5 years living in Sydney (coming from London), I have experienced more antisemitism than in my whole life. On the day my grandfather died in St Vincents hospice (September 2024), I was parking nearby the Sydney Jewish Museum when a car drove by and shouted “F*** the Jews”. It has become too normalised to accept anti-Jewish hatred. Please accept this plea for a federated Royal Commission.
I can't even go out in my home town for fear of violence. Random people talk at picnics about the jews having gold buried in their backyards and how jews plot to take over Australia. I get abused weekly on social media for being concerned about jews. The horse has bolted and the government needs to be held accountable. People spreading conspiracy theories are claiming they aren't antisemitic. The hate has been normalised and the delusions are widespread. How did this happen in my home country? My family has been here 5 generations.
My wife hid from the gunfire behind bins 50 meters from the gunman, covering my 7-year old daughter with her body, while the sounds of gunfire rang out around them and bullets flew overhead. A royal commission NOW. No equivocation.
Pets are considered family members vy their owners/guardians. It's long overdue for the law to reflect this. What happened to Arnie is equivelant to the same thing happening to a infant child strapped in the back seat - in this situation - and should be handled in the same. way.
The fact current legislation doesn't reflect this is as much a farce as Arnie's death was a disgraceful act (by the thief/s in question).
Make Arnie's Law a reality. Now.
Pets are more than just an animal they are part of the family and grief is real when they pass away. For a pet to die at the hands of heartless criminals who could have prevented this from happening must be devastating. The loss of the pet cannot be replaced through insurance unlike a car or other not living belongings, therefore the punishment must be inline with the severity of the crime.
For many families, a pet is not “owned”—they are loved, depended on, and mourned when they are gone. To call them mere property is to deny the depth of the bond that shapes our homes and our hearts. Recognising animals as true family members, with rights that protect their wellbeing and dignity, honours the loyalty and unconditional love they give us every single day. They stand by us without hesitation; the least we can do is stand up for them.