Latest news with #MuslimVotesMatter
ABC News
07-05-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
Muslim voters say election delivered strong message despite Labor landslide
Muslim Australian Hawraa put Labor last on her ballot paper for the first time at this year's federal election. Hawraa, who only wants to be identified by her first name, said she wanted to send Labor a message: "Do not take us for granted." A voter in the Victorian electorate of Wills, Hawraa was "disappointed" at news Despite the result, Hawraa said the close race and first preference vote swing towards Ms Ratnam gave her hope, and showed the Muslim community was energised . "We've learned a lot from this time, and it is only the start of the mobilisation of the community and of the Muslim community," Hawraa said. " More and more people are wanting a more dynamic crossbench … a progressive crossbench that will push Labor to do better and do more. " Samantha Ratnam spent the final days before the election speaking with voters at early-polling stations. ( ABC News: Nicholas White ) Many Australian Muslims have told the ABC they feel "betrayed" by the government's Wills was Labor heartland, but now the seat that belonged to Bob Hawke is squarely in the marginal column. Advocacy group Muslim Votes Matter targeted federal seats across Australia during the campaign and despite Labor's landslide win, a closer inspection of the results told a more nuanced story, said the group's spokesperson Ghaith Krayem. "When we look at those electorates, those seats where we targeted our effort, a different picture emerges," said Mr Krayem. He pointed to the Wills and Calwell electorates in Victoria that recorded swings in primary votes away from Labor candidates. "There's no doubt in our mind what was different [in those two seats] was the mobilisation of our community." NSW results 'mind-blowing' A Muslim Vote convener campaigns for Ahmed Ouf, who stood as an independent in the seat of Blaxland. ( ABC News: Marcus Stimson ) In the two electorates with the largest Muslim population nationally, Watson and Blaxland in New South Wales, Muslim Votes Matter and a second, unaffiliated lobby group, The Muslim Vote, endorsed two independent candidates. In Watson, the groups backed Muslim candidate Ziad Bassyouny to run against Labor's Tony Burke. In Blaxland, Ahmed Ouf ran against another Labor incumbent, Jason Clare. While neither independent won, and Labor retained both seats, the pair did secure a lot of first preference votes, said Mr Krayem. Photo shows Sheikh Wesam Charkawi Muslim Vote convener The Muslim Vote campaign has taken aim at the Labor Party's "failure to stand for justice on Gaza and Palestine" as it looks to unseat Parramatta MP Andrew Charlton. "For Ahmed to get 19 per cent primary, and for Ziad to get almost 17 per cent on primary, that is a significant achievement," he said. "They've set themselves up really well for the next election." Zakariaa Wahid, Islamic Council of Victoria chief executive, said the primary vote results were "mind-blowing". "They [the candidates] did not exist until this election; we're not talking about independents [who] have been around for years and years," said Mr Wahid. Zakaria Wahid from the Islamic Council of Victoria said there was growing political awareness in the Muslim community. ( Supplied ) Those results showed the Muslim community mobilised for this federal election like never before, he added. "We've seen political literacy and political awareness in the Muslim community in a way that has never happened, not even close to it. "There's a growing push and a growing number of people that are becoming part of this voting bloc". Gaza at the heart of voters The AEC continues to count votes in some tightly contested seats. ( ABC News: Mackenzie Heard ) Among them is Shiraz, a second-generation migrant , who lives in the Victorian seat of Scullin and has traditionally voted Labor. For the first time at a federal election, Shiraz voted differently. Shiraz, who also only wants to be known by his first name, said he preferenced Greens first, followed by independent candidates. "We want the government to hear our voices and concerns, not take our votes and support for granted," he said. " It sends a strong message that we do have a voice that can't be ignored. " He added he also wanted to break down the long-standing dominance of two major parties. Shiraz believed the major parties had not done enough to support Palestinian people and were too complacent in relation to Gaza. Hawraa, who is from southern Lebanon, said her community also felt "completely neglected and ignored". She said the community was disappointed that Australia continued to have an arms trade deal with Israel, Photo shows A young man gestures while speaking and sitting on the couch Dissatisfaction with the Albanese government's stance on Israel-Palestine among many Arab and Muslim voters threatens to unseat Labor MPs, in some places for the first time. However, many Muslim community members who spoke to the ABC said the "swing against Labor" had been taking place over a long time. They said they felt the federal government had responded more strongly to a spate of antisemitic attacks last year compared with the increased number of Islamophobia attacks. The community members had also been calling for "[But] Gaza was the largest example of how Labor has consistently become disconnected with this Muslim voter base, and especially how people feel taken advantage of," he said. "Labor's lack of effort and lack of effective response to a genocide that's going on coupled with various other elements such as the rising Islamophobia … that will definitely be a factor in the minds of Muslims." Rita Jabri Markwell, from the Australian Muslim Advocacy Network, said even though the impact of the Muslim vote was not "as strong as it could have been", Labor candidates were still left fighting to retain their seats. "It really is a warning to those members of parliament that if they continue to ignore those voters they may be paying an even greater price at the next election," the lawyer said.
West Australian
24-04-2025
- Politics
- West Australian
Australia calls for Israel to end Gaza aid blockade
Foreign Minister Penny Wong has called for Israel to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza after blocking supplies for more than 50 days. Australia joined calls from the UK, France and Germany for Israel to "immediately allow rapid and unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza", Senator Wong said as she called for a new ceasefire deal and the return of hostages. She made the declaration on social media, while sharing a statement from UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy which labelled the aid blockade "completely unacceptable". Israel has also stopped all goods, including fuel and electricity, from entering Gaza since the beginning of March, with the foreign ministers of Germany, France and Britain issuing a joint statement calling for it to follow international law. "Palestinian civilians - including one million children - face an acute risk of starvation, epidemic disease and death. This must end," the statement said. "We reiterate our outrage at recent strikes by Israeli forces on humanitarian personnel, infrastructure, premises and healthcare facilities." Labor has been under pressure in western Sydney seats with large Muslim and Middle Eastern populations to be stronger on Gaza. The most serious challenges from grassroots Muslim independents are in Watson and Blaxland, held by two Labor ministers on sizeable margins. The independents are backed by a grassroots organisation called Muslim Votes Matter, which is urging the community to vote strategically to show its anger. "Candidates who refused to condemn a genocide ... will be met with the exact same response: our complete and unapologetic rejection," it told supporters in a campaign message on WhatsApp on Thursday. Both major parties have been largely silent on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza during the federal election campaign. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton vowed to review visas given to people fleeing Gaza if the coalition wins government on May 3 after pledging to stop accepting refugees from the strip due to security concerns. Everyone granted a visa has undergone and passed appropriate security checks, the government maintains. Amnesty International Australia labelled Mr Dutton's comments inflammatory and unfounded. "Palestinian visa holders who have arrived in Australia have already undergone extensive security assessments, including by ASIO, which represent a far higher standard than any other group," spokesperson Mohamed Duar said. The Gaza conflict was sparked by a Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in 1200 deaths and 251 hostages taken to Gaza, according to Israeli records. Since then, local health authorities report more than 51,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli offensive.
Perth Now
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Perth Now
Australia calls for Israel to end Gaza aid blockade
Foreign Minister Penny Wong has called for Israel to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza after blocking supplies for more than 50 days. Australia joined calls from the UK, France and Germany for Israel to "immediately allow rapid and unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza", Senator Wong said as she called for a new ceasefire deal and the return of hostages. She made the declaration on social media, while sharing a statement from UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy which labelled the aid blockade "completely unacceptable". Israel has also stopped all goods, including fuel and electricity, from entering Gaza since the beginning of March, with the foreign ministers of Germany, France and Britain issuing a joint statement calling for it to follow international law. "Palestinian civilians - including one million children - face an acute risk of starvation, epidemic disease and death. This must end," the statement said. "We reiterate our outrage at recent strikes by Israeli forces on humanitarian personnel, infrastructure, premises and healthcare facilities." Labor has been under pressure in western Sydney seats with large Muslim and Middle Eastern populations to be stronger on Gaza. The most serious challenges from grassroots Muslim independents are in Watson and Blaxland, held by two Labor ministers on sizeable margins. The independents are backed by a grassroots organisation called Muslim Votes Matter, which is urging the community to vote strategically to show its anger. "Candidates who refused to condemn a genocide ... will be met with the exact same response: our complete and unapologetic rejection," it told supporters in a campaign message on WhatsApp on Thursday. Both major parties have been largely silent on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza during the federal election campaign. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton vowed to review visas given to people fleeing Gaza if the coalition wins government on May 3 after pledging to stop accepting refugees from the strip due to security concerns. Everyone granted a visa has undergone and passed appropriate security checks, the government maintains. Amnesty International Australia labelled Mr Dutton's comments inflammatory and unfounded. "Palestinian visa holders who have arrived in Australia have already undergone extensive security assessments, including by ASIO, which represent a far higher standard than any other group," spokesperson Mohamed Duar said. The Gaza conflict was sparked by a Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in 1200 deaths and 251 hostages taken to Gaza, according to Israeli records. Since then, local health authorities report more than 51,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli offensive.
The Guardian
15-04-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Muslim advocacy group to preference Greens above Labor in some seats despite disagreement on religious freedom
A potentially influential Muslim advocacy group is planning to tell voters to preference the Greens above Labor on how-to-vote cards in several key seats, despite objecting to the minor party's position on religious freedom in schools. Muslim Votes Matter has expressed concern about the party's plan to ensure religious schools cannot discriminate against teachers or students on the basis of their sexuality, but has welcomed a commitment to ensure 'all rights are acknowledged and taken into account'. The group, which is campaigning for candidates in 32 seats has endorsed Greens in the Victorian seats of Wills and Bruce, where Labor MPs are preparing for a backlash over the party's response to the war in Gaza. Most of the 32 seats are held by Labor and have significant Muslim populations. Sign up for the Afternoon Update: Election 2025 email newsletter Muslim Votes Matter has also endorsed the Greens in the Queensland seat of Moreton, the South Australian seat of Sturt, and independents in the western-Sydney seats of Blaxland and Watson, held by Labor ministers Jason Clare and Tony Burke. Guardian Australia has also confirmed the political party launched by the former Labor senator Fatima Payman, who has a strong personal brand in suburbs with high Muslim populations, Australia's Voice, will also encourage voters to preference the Greens above her former party and the Liberals on Senate ballot papers. Ghaith Krayem, the national spokesperson for Muslim Votes Matter, said the group's how-to-vote cards were being finalised after discussion with endorsed candidates. He said they would be similar to, but perhaps not exactly the same as those handed out by endorsed candidates. 'We as a rule, will put parties like One Nation or The Trumpet of Patriots at the bottom of our how to vote card,' Krayem said. 'If a candidate moves them up, we will not do that.' In a letter to Muslim Votes Matter last month, the Greens leader, Adam Bandt, sought to address the group's concerns about religious freedom, accepting a request to attend further consultation meetings to ensure 'that all rights are acknowledged and taken into account'. 'Schools could continue to require that a teacher hired by the school teaches the school's values and doctrines. A staff member could not be discriminated against on the basis of their sexuality or gender identity, just as it would be unlawful under Australian law to discriminate against someone based on protected attributes in other workplaces.' Muslim Votes Matter said it did not agree with the Greens' position, but was satisfied with their engagement. 'We know that on that particular issue, we were never going to be 100% aligned,' Krayem said. 'We put forward a pathway of consultation, not just with us, but with other interested minority groups on this issue. Labor declined to engage with Muslim Votes Matter and accused the group of being a 'self-appointed organisation that seeks to support Peter Dutton' in a manner that was 'contrary to the interests of Australian Muslim communities'. Sign up to Afternoon Update: Election 2025 Our Australian afternoon update breaks down the key election campaign stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion Krayem denied this and said the criticism was 'very inappropriate from a major party in the middle of a campaign' and 'full of disdain for our community'. The group has previously suggested Labor wants 'a quiet, loyal Muslim voter'. Before the 2022 election, Labor committed to introducing laws that would protect all students from discrimination on any grounds, and to protect teachers from discrimination while maintaining the right of schools to preference people of their faith while hiring. In August, Anthony Albanese said his government was unwilling to act on these issues in the absence of bipartisan support, citing concerns about 'the need for greater social cohesion'. 'And the last thing that Australia needs is any divisive debate relating to religion and people's faith … I don't intend to engage in a partisan debate when it comes to religious discrimination,' Albanese said. Equality Australia's chief executive, Anna Brown, accused Labor of breaking an election commitment by 'failing to pursue the available pathway through parliament for a government bill that would have finally protected LGBTQ+ students and staff in religious schools'. 'More children will now be refused enrolment or miss out on school leadership roles and more teachers will continue to lose their jobs or be denied promotions because of the gaps in our laws that allow religious schools to play by their own rules,' Brown said. A Labor spokesperson said if re-elected, the party would continue to consult on religious freedom but only introduce legislation once bipartisan support was clear.
