Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has expressed concern in parliament about the offices of elected members of parliament being targeted with “red paint” and “vile messages” by pro-Palestinian protestors.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has also highlighted of his concern about attacks at electorate offices, given the important work staff do.
He added that the targeting of people simply because they are Jewish is completely unacceptable.
“Tragically, it undermines the cause that protesters purport to advance. I have supported justice for Palestinians my whole life and still do. It is tragic that the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people are undermined by some people engaging in activity that completely alienates the Australian public due to the nature of that,” he said.
The comments come after multiple parliamentarians were targeted with graffiti and vandalism in recent weeks amid the Israel-Hamas conflict. The United States consulate was also targeted in Melbourne on May 31.
“Teal” Independent MP for Mackellar, Dr. Sophie Scamps, told Mr. Albanese in parliament she is concerned the Middle East conflict is “impacting social cohesion here in Australia.”
She said her office has received hundreds of emails about the events in the Middle East expressing concern about both Israel and Gaza suffering.
“The people of Mackellar were utterly appalled by the atrocities committed by Hamas and our hearts broke for the people of Israel. Now my community is deeply distressed also by the immense human suffering in Gaza.”
She asked Mr. Albanese what the government’s message is regarding the importance of bringing hostages home and ending the conflict.
“Hostages must be released. Civilians must be protected,” he said.
“As President Biden has said, a deal would ‘allow the United States and our partners to begin the work to rebuild homes, schools, and hospitals in Gaza to help repair communities destroyed in the chaos of war.’”
Mr. Albanese noted Australia is not a participant in the conflict but has been a consistent voice for humanitarian concerns.
“The point that I’ve made as prime minister, from the very outset, is that every single innocent life matters—every Israeli, every Palestinian. This government supports a two-state solution and an enduring peace. Two states: Israel and Palestine, living peacefully side by side with security and prosperity for their people.”
He added within in Australia, everyone has a responsibility to keep the community safe, highlighting the importance of “social cohesion.”
“Our social cohesion is a national asset that all of us have built and all of us have a responsibility to uphold and defend,” he said.
No Place for Anti-Semitism
Mr. Albanese said there no place for antisemitism, prejudice of any sort or Islamophobia in communities, at our universities, or outside electorate offices.The prime minister explained that parliamentary staff do work to provide assistance to “people dealing with Medicare, social security, migration, and other issues.”
“They deserve respect, not abuse, not assault, not attacks on the office. Those things cost taxpayers money but cause, more importantly, considerable emotional distress and are anti-democratic by their very nature because they stop people participating in our democratic process and receiving services from members of the House of Representatives or of the Senate,” he said.
Meanwhile, Opposition leader Peter Dutton said there is a bipartisan position on this issue in the chamber, adding that the Coalition condemns acts of violence, wherever they take place.
Mr. Dutton said just last week he was at a school in Sydney where armed guards have a permanent presence to protect young children going to school, not because they have done anything wrong, but “because they are Jewish.”
“We are seeing now the offices of elected members of parliament being targeted with red paint, with vile messages of hate and discrimination and antisemitism, and it should be condemned,” he said.
“The world should stand together to condemn the actions of antisemitism.”
Greens Leader Adam Bandt said the House is united in condemning antisemitism and condemning Islamophobia.
Labor Offices, US Consulate Targeted by Vandals
Recently, pro-Palestinian activists allegedly vandalised the United States Consulate and the offices of multiple Labor parliamentarians in the state of Victoria.Among the phrases seen at the offices were “Glory to the Martyrs” and “Free Gaza” in Melbourne, capital city of Victoria.
Electorate offices of Attorney General Mark Dreyfus and Government Services Minister Bill Shorten were among those allegedly targeted.
Mr. Shorten said on May 31 people have a right to feel strongly about the “distressing scenes in Gaza and Israel, but there’s a line and you don’t cross it.”
“It’s threatening coercive bullying, illegal conduct, and at a very pragmatic level, even if you just separate the fact that what they’re doing is illegal. Who do they think they’re persuading?”
