Anthony Albanese has accused the Greens of “deliberately and consciously” spreading misinformation about the war in Gaza, demanding MPs to condemn protests against parliamentarians offices.
In response to a question raised by independent MP Sophie Scamps about voters’ concerns about social cohesion, Mr Albanese said communities across Australia were “distressed” about the events unfolding in the Middle East.
“Every one of us has a responsibility to keep our community safe. Social cohesion is a national asset to all of us. All of us have a responsibility to uphold and defend,” Mr Albanese told MPs.
“It is unacceptable that misinformation when consciously and deliberately spread by some Green members that have been engaged in demonstration, outside offices and knowingly misrepresenting motions that have moved in this parliament.”
Several high-profile Labor MPs and the US Consulate in Victoria have had their offices vandalised by pro-Palestine protesters in recent weeks, including Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus who had red paint sprayed on the front of his electorate office in Melbourne.
It has been reported that some elected representatives have requested security advice and shut their offices in response to concerns for their safety.
Referencing the attacks targeting MP offices, Mr Albanese said the aspirations of the Palestinian community were being “undermined” by people engaging in activity that “completely alienates the Australian public”.
“The targeting of people because they are Jewish, because people will disagree with some of the actions of the Netanyahu government are completely unacceptable,” he said.
“As political leaders we have a responsibility to lower temperature – not to inflame it.”
Speaking on a matter of indulgence, Opposition Leader Dutton backed Mr Albanese’s call and condemned protesters targeting MPs, calling a reported rise in anti-Semitism “completely unacceptable.”
Greens leader Adam Bandt denounced the debate as “desperate attempt to detract and distract from Labor’s complicity and backing of the invasion.”
“I will not be lectured to by peace and violence by people who’ve backed the invasion in Gaza. Children are dying because the Israelis have engineered a famine,” he said.