The opposition has been accused of “pitting” community groups against each other and using the Jewish community for political purposes, in suggesting citizenship tests should include questions on antisemitism.
The Australian National Imams Council told Guardian Australia the proposal raises “significant concerns” and divides communities rather than bringing them together.
“It suggests that some individuals have a lesser sense of belonging and connection to the nation,” a council spokesperson said.
“The timing of this proposal seems opportunistic, as it appears to exploit racial issues and deepen divisions.”
The shadow immigration minister, Dan Tehan, first announced the suggestion in February, reportedly to an Australian Jewish Association (AJA) online forum.
The Coalition had floated the idea of changing citizenship requirements after a viral video emerged of two Sydney nurses allegedly threatening Israeli patients.
Tehan then confirmed the planned changes to the Sydney Morning Herald on Wednesday, after a pledge from the opposition leader, Peter Dutton, that the Coalition would hold a referendum to give the government more power to deport criminals with dual citizenship.
The shadow foreign minister, David Coleman, would not say on Wednesday whether the citizenship test would also be expanded to include questions on other forms of racism or discrimination.
“Tolerance is very important, it’s part of who we are, and the announcement we are making today is focused on antisemitism and ensuring that people who come to our country understand the importance of that issue,” he told ABC TV.
“The proposal for the test in relation to antisemitism, I support that, and of course discrimination of any form is unacceptable.”
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese immediately dismissed both ideas as “thought bubbles”.
The home affairs minister, Tony Burke, reiterated Albanese’s words in a statement to Guardian Australia.
“Yesterday’s thought bubble on a referendum didn’t make it past lunchtime – let’s see how long this lasts,” he said.
“Peter Dutton and the Coalition will do anything to avoid talking about their massive cuts which will drive up the cost of living”.
The Executive Council of Australia Jewry (ECAJ) did not respond to the latest Coalition announcement, but had called for changes to migration to curb antisemitism earlier this year.
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At a Sky News antisemitism summit in February, ECAJ co-chair Alex Ryvchin called for immigration officers to be trained to recognise antisemitism, and disqualify applicants who promoted antisemitism under the character test.
ECAJ also recommended the migration act be enforced or strengthened to ensure antisemitic conduct was grounds to refuse a new visa or cancel an existing visa.
Sarah Schwartz, the executive officer of the Jewish Council of Australia, accused the Coalition of “trying to use the Jewish community” for political purposes, and suggested it was “fixated” on “pitting different communities against each other”.
“I think Peter Dutton and the Coalition are clearly trying to use the Jewish community and very real fears about rises in antisemitism to push their own anti-immigrant agenda,” she told Guardian Australia.
Dr Jamal Rifi, a Lebanese Muslim community leader in western Sydney, said the proposal treated the Muslim diaspora as “second-class citizens”.
“It just sends a message that actually Australian Muslims are second-class citizens of this great country,” he said.
Rifi, who has campaigned for Labor in western Sydney, said if questions only on antisemitism were included, it would ignore the Islamophobia in Australia.
“It defies [our] Australian values that we all believe in, because racism should be denounced in all forms and shapes.”
