Australia's anti-Semitism special envoy has denied involvement with her husband's donations of tens of thousands of dollars to a far-right political group.
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In a statement, Special Envoy to combat anti-Semitism Jillian Segal denied she was involved with her husband John Roth's decision to donate $50,000 to far-right political group Advance Australia.
"No one would tolerate or accept my husband dictating my politics, and I certainly won't dictate his. I have had no involvement in his donations, nor will I," she said.
On Saturday, The Klaxon revealed that a company directed by Ms Segal's husband, John Roth, and his brother, Stanley Roth, made a donation on behalf of a trust to the far-right political party, Advance Australia.
Donation records from the Australian Electoral Commission in the 2023-24 financial year show Henroth Investments Pty Ltd, acting as trustee for Henroth Discretionary Trust, made a donation of $50,000 to Advance Australia on June 27, 2024.
ASIC documents show Henroth Investments Pty Ltd is directed by John Steven Roth, 75, and Stanley Barry Roth, 71, and registered to an address in Edgecliff, NSW.
Over the 2023-24 financial year, the company also made donations worth $75,000 to the Liberal Party in the NSW and WA divisions.
Conservative political group Advance Australia campaigned against the Voice to Parliament in 2023, and has since called for an end to Welcome to Country practices and a ban on immigration.
The controversial group has also had links in the past to several conservative politicians, including Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, and its website claims Australia is "a nation on the brink".
"Activists, elites and extremists have seized power and are destroying our country. Only ADVANCE - along with our 400,000+ supporters - can stop them," the website reads.
Ms Segal released her plan to combat anti-Semitism in Australia on Thursday, which included powers to strip government funding from universities considered not to be doing enough to combat anti-Semitism and the monitoring of media organisations to encourage "accurate, fair and responsible reporting".
Some Jewish groups have welcomed the proposals as necessary to combat violence against Jewish Australians, while critics have raised concerns about infringements on free speech.
The plan is being considered by the federal government for implementation.
Lucy Arundell
Lucy is an ACT Legislative Assembly reporter for The Canberra Times. She previously worked as the city reporter. Got a tip? Email her at lucy.arundell@canberratimes.com.au.
