Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has called for laws allowing federal police to arrest protesters carrying Hezbollah flags during rallies in support of civilians killed in an Israeli attack on Lebanon.
During the protest marches over the weekend, some demonstrators sparked controversy by displaying Hezbollah flags, a group designated as a terrorist organisation in Australia. A few protesters even carried images of its leader, Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in an Israeli strike.
In 2023, federal laws were passed making it illegal to display symbols of listed terrorist organisations, including Hezbollah.
Immigration Minister Tony Burke indicated that incidents from the weekend’s protests could mark the first time these laws are tested in court.
Dutton urged the federal parliament to be recalled to strengthen laws against terrorist symbols.
“There are provisions within the existing law. If there aren’t, the prime minister should recall parliament and deal with whatever deficiency there is in the law,” Dutton told Nine’s Today programme on Oct. 1.
He emphasised that such protesters should have been arrested and that a line needed to be drawn regarding visas and possible cancellations following the rallies.
“We have to be very definite about this. If people are acting outside of Australian law, if they’re acting in a way that’s inconsistent with the obligations they’ve signed up to under their visas ... then their visas should be, must be, cancelled,” he said.
Meanwhile, Burke reacted strongly to protesters inciting violence, repeating his threat to cancel visas.
“I don’t want the anger and hatred from around the world being imported into Australia,” he told ABC Radio.
Burke added that while authorities were unsure if rally attendees were on visas, individuals inciting unrest would fail Australia’s character tests.
Curbing Islamophobia
Meanwhile, to combat Islamophobia, the federal government has appointed a special envoy, months after it named Australia’s first anti-Semitism envoy.Aftab Malik, a United Nations Alliance of Civilisations “Global Expert” on Muslim affairs, has been named for the role.
Burke said it took the government a little longer to appoint an Islamophobia envoy, explaining that he approached the consultation process differently.
“Rather than starting with a name, I began by talking to people about what sort of person should fill the role, and it was through those conversations that Aftab Malik emerged,” he said.
“Importantly, the purpose of this role is not to create someone who somehow speaks for the Islamic community. This is a very targeted job for them to talk about Islamophobia, and it’s important they have the support of the community … their job is to combat Islamophobia throughout the country.”
