Segal’s spouse, John Roth, serves as a director for Henroth Discretionary Trust, which contributed the donation in the 2023/2024 fiscal year, according to records from the Australian Electoral Commission. Segal is neither a director nor a shareholder of the company, and there is no indication of her direct involvement in the donation.

“I would not accept anyone dictating my political stance based on my husband’s actions, and I certainly won’t direct his,” Segal conveyed to SBS News in a statement. “I have not, nor will I, engage in his donation activities.”

Segal’s position criticised

Jillian Segal was appointed Australia’s inaugural special envoy to combat antisemitism in July last year. Source: AAP / Thomas Parrish

In a public statement released on Sunday, the Lebanese Muslim Association said Segal’s position as Australia’s antisemitism envoy was “no longer tenable”. It said she could not credibly lead efforts against antisemitism while “remaining silent about — or benefiting from — the funding of organisations that fuel other forms of racism and bigotry”.

A statement criticized Segal’s efforts to detach herself from the donation as insincere, arguing that political contributions from her household are a valid public interest issue.

“These revelations only strengthen the case for comprehensively rejecting the plan and the envoy position itself.”

Treasurer says donation is a matter for Segal

Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the issue is a matter for Segal herself.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the donation was a matter for Jillian Segal. Source: AAP / Mick Tsikas

“As I understand it, she’s made comments about this herself and she’s addressed this issue publicly, and I see it really as a matter for the envoy,” Chalmers told reporters in Canberra on Monday.