Ballina Shire Mayor Sharon Cadwallader will today join more than 200 local government leaders at the Australian Mayors Summit Against Antisemitism.

Hosted on the Gold Coast by Mayor Tom Tate and funded by Jewish community organisations, the conference will showcase strategies for tackling antisemitism and other forms of hate at a local level.

While all Ballina councillors were invited, with all expenses paid by the conference organisers, Ballina News Daily understands only Cr Cadwallader and Cr Simon Kinny will attend. 

Dr Kinny confirmed his attendance but declined to comment.

“I Will Not Be Intimidated”

Cr Cadwallader revealed she had already received hateful emails questioning her decision to attend but said she would not be deterred.

“It’s disgraceful, and there’s simply no room for hatred in our community,” she said. 

I’ll go proudly. We must stand up for safety, respect, and inclusion.”

The Gold Coast summit, to be chaired by Cr Tate, is backed by the Combat Antisemitism Movement and the Executive Council of Australian Jewry.

It follows similar international gatherings and is the first of its kind in Australia.

An invitation to councils nationwide highlighted the urgency:

“Recent data from the ECAJ shows an alarming 316 percent increase in anti-Jewish incidents in Australia. Your voice is crucial in demonstrating that hate has no place in our society.”

Keynote speakers include former Prime Minister Julia Gillard, business leader David Gonski, and Beverly Hills (USA) Mayor Sharona Nazarian, who hosted the 2024 summit in California.

Cr Cadwallader said Ballina’s presence was about showing solidarity.

“This is about standing together. When local leaders unite, we send a message that even smaller communities won’t tolerate hate.”