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In Episode Two of Tensions Transplanted, Rob Kaldor and Isy Oderberg examine the rule of law, the Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion, and the limits of law in confronting hate. Featuring Julian Leeser MP, former judge Ron Sackville AO KC, Australian Human Rights Commission President Hugh de Kretser, and Project Shema co-founder Zachary Schaffer, the episode explores hate speech, terrorism, coded language, Zionism, free speech, social cohesion and the difficult question of what governments, institutions and communities can do next. It is a conversation about the role of law, leadership and public language in a moment when Jewish Australians are asking not only what has gone wrong, but what meaningful repair could look like.

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After the Bondi massacre, many Australian Jews were shocked — but not necessarily surprised. In the opening episode of season three of Tensions Transplanted, Rob Kaldor and Izzy Oderberg begin with the question now facing Australian Jewish life: where to from here? Not by replaying the horror of December 14, but by asking what it exposed about safety, extremism, anti-Semitism, political rhetoric, social cohesion and who gets heard when fear takes over. Featuring terrorism expert Michelle Grossman AM, Julian Leeser MP, Project Shema founder Zachary Schaffer, social commentator and writer Van Badham and Palestinian writer and activist Hamza Howidy, this episode is a powerful primer for the season ahead: sharp, uncomfortable, deeply human and determined to move beyond slogans.

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In Episode 5 of Tensions Transplanted, Rob Kaldor sits down with Jewish MPs Julian Leeser (Liberal, Berowra) and Josh Burns (Labor, Macnamara) to explore how their Jewish identity has influenced their political careers — and how they each envision Australia's future post the 2025 federal election.

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In Episode 4 of Tensions Transplanted, Rob Kaldor explores how The Muslim Vote could influence the upcoming federal election. He’s joined by Dr Josh Roose from Deakin University to unpack key marginal electorates, the rising political engagement among Muslim Australians, and the emerging — and sometimes uneasy — alliances with the Greens. Together, they consider how the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict is shaping political discourse in the lead-up to election day.

📖 Read Dr Josh Roose’s articles and more election coverage.

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In Episode 3 of Tensions Transplanted, Rob Kaldor takes a close look at the federal election campaigns unfolding in Goldstein, Macnamara, and Wentworth — the three electorates with Australia’s largest Jewish populations. He’s joined by author Julie Szego, journalist Michael Visontay, and Jewish Independent editor Deborah Stone to unpack how October 7 and the rise in antisemitism are shaping campaign strategies, shifting voter sentiment, and influencing the political outlook in these pivotal seats.

📖 Read Julie Szego’s articles

📖 Read Michael Visontay’s articles

📖 Read Deborah Stone’s articles and more election coverage.

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In Episode 2 of Tensions Transplanted, Rob Kaldor speaks with Deborah Stone from The Jewish Independent about the collapse of bipartisan consensus on foreign policy and the growing political divide over antisemitism.

📖 Read Deborah Stone’s articles and more election coverage.

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In this episode, Rob Kaldor examines the upcoming federal election with insights from political consultant Dean Sherr, who offers a rare insider’s view from Canberra. With a sharp focus on how antisemitism could shape the political landscape, Dean breaks down the key dynamics influencing the campaign.

📖 Read Dean Sherr’s articles and more election coverage.
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In Episode four – the final episode of Tensions Transplanted – Rob Kaldor explores the impact of the Hamas-Israel conflict on Australian politics, arts and culture. Rob speaks with a range voices including Josh Burns, Labor Federal MP, Allegra Spender, Independent Federal MP, Tim Hollo, Executive Director of the Green Institute, Jeremy Leibler, President of the Zionist Federation of Australia, Councillor Robert Samuel, journalist John Stanley, cultural leadership expert Sam Cairnduff and founder of 'Jews of Sydney', Kevin Garber.