Pro-Palestinian protesters disrupt question time demanding sanctions to Israel
The group of four demonstrators sitting in the public gallery began repeatedly shouting: 'Sanction Israel now,' unfurling painted banners saying the same thing.
The shouting began as Sussan Ley was asking her first question to Anthony Albanese.
Both party leaders continued speaking, ignoring the protesters who were removed from the public gallery.
Chamber rules dictate media cannot take photos of the public gallery, however the live feed of question time showed MPs scanning their eyes across the chamber looking for the source of the disruption.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Prime Minister rejected imposing sanctions on the Israeli government stating he wanted 'meaningful action, not slogans'.
'They are a democracy, and we have, I think, taken appropriate action and it's been, as I say, sanctioning ministers in a democratic government,' he said.
'If you can point to a comparison where that's occurred, I'd be happy to hear it.'
He pointed to demonstrators who had shut down his electorate office in Marrickville, in Sydney's inner west, stating the stunts did not 'advance' peace in Gaza, had resulted the office being shut down and had come at 'great cost to the Commonwealth'.
Mr Albanese also declined to give further indication over whether Australia would commit to recognising Palestinian statehood at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in September, declaring the decision would not be made to '(win) a political point'.
This is despite Foreign Minister Penny Wong issuing a joint statement alongside 14 other countries, including France and New Zealand earlier on Wednesday that declared Palestinian statehood was 'an essential step' toward a two-state solution.
'I've said for a long time, my entire political life, (that) … I support two states, the right of Israel to exist within secure borders and the right of Palestinians to have their legitimate aspirations for their own state realised,' he said.
'That is my objective. Not making a statement, not winning a political point, but achieving that.'
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