Key Brief From The Additional Estimates Hearing - Social Cohesion And Office Of Community Cohesion, Dated February 2025 ​

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The Department of Home Affairs established the Office of Community Cohesion to address growing hate crimes and social divisions, particularly stemming from Middle East conflict impacts in Australia. Deputy Secretary Sophie Sharpe leads the office's work on democratic resilience and social cohesion strengthening. Since October 2023, Home Affairs has received $13.9 million in additional funding for social cohesion initiatives, including support for affected communities through grants programs, Torah scroll reparations, and Jewish museum funding. The Department's approach spans community engagement, multicultural affairs, national security, and countering misinformation. The brief identifies key internal coordination points: Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs Division (CMAD) manages grants programs; Immigration Group handles community support and Special Envoys for Antisemitism and Islamophobia positions; National Security and Resilience Group addresses Middle East conflict-related security matters. The Department prioritizes combating antisemitism, Islam