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SBS Australia
2 days ago
- Politics
- SBS Australia
Mehreen Faruqi stages Senate protest, asks Albanese: 'Will you sanction Israel?'
Greens deputy leader Mehreen Faruqi held up a sign calling for sanctions against Israel and questioned the prime minister during an address marking the return of parliament. It comes after Australia condemned the "inhumane killing" of Palestinians in Gaza while calling for Israel to end its war in a joint statement, which a Labor frontbencher called it the strongest statement the government has made in the near two-year offensive. As part of a largely ceremonial return on Tuesday, Governor-General Sam Mostyn delivered an address to both houses in the Senate chamber, declaring the 48th parliament open. More than a dozen pro-Palestinian demonstrators were detained after protesting inside the foyer of parliament during Mostyn's speech, before being removed from the building. Hundreds of protesters called for sanctions on Israel on the lawns of parliament, with one woman arrested, federal police say. Traffic around Parliament House was also disrupted by the protests. During her address, Faruqi was pictured holding a sign that read: "Gaza is starving. Words won't feed them. Sanction Israel." As Prime Minister Anthony Albanese left the Senate, the Greens senator called out: "Prime minister, Gaza is starving, will you sanction Israel?" Later speaking on the ABC's Afternoon Briefing program, Science and Industry Minister Tim Ayres said he thought Faruqi's actions were "disrespectful to the parliament". "Parliamentary institutions, the ceremonies and the way that today has unfolded actually is important for the dignity of the institution," he said. "I think she has diminished herself," Ayres went on to say. "The institution is pretty robust but we've all got a responsibility to think about the way we participate in the institution and in public debate and in civic debate to lift the country up to get more people engaged. "I don't think that's served that purpose very well and I don't think it assisted the cause of Palestinians in Gaza one little bit." Australia calls for Gaza war's end A joint statement signed by Foreign Minister Penny Wong and more than 20 of her global counterparts — including from the United Kingdom, France, and Canada— calls for an immediate end to Israel's violence in the strip and condemns the denial of humanitarian assistance to starving Palestinians. The United States was not a signatory. Israel's foreign ministry rejected the statement, saying it is: "disconnected from reality and sends the wrong message to Hamas" — the Palestinian political and militant group that governs Gaza. The joint statement came as pro-Palestinian supporters rallied in Canberra on Tuesday for the first sitting day of parliament since the May federal election. The countries condemned what they called the "drip feeding of aid" to Palestinians in Gaza and said it was "horrifying" that more than 800 civilians had been killed while seeking aid, which they labelled "inhumane". The majority of those killed were in the vicinity of Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) sites, which the US and Israel backed to take over aid distribution in Gaza from a network led by the United Nations. "The Israeli government's aid delivery model is dangerous, fuels instability and deprives Gazans of human dignity," the countries' foreign ministers said in a joint statement. "The suffering of civilians in Gaza has reached new depths." They said: "The war in Gaza must end now." In its statement criticising the statement, Israel's foreign ministry said: "The statement fails to focus the pressure on Hamas and fails to recognise Hamas's role and responsibility for the situation." Israeli foreign minister Gideon Sa'ar later said he spoke with his British counterpart David Lammy on Monday regarding regional issues, including Gaza. He blamed Hamas "for the suffering of the population and the continuation of the war". The US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, called the statement "disgusting" and said blaming Israel was "irrational" because Hamas rejects every proposal to end the war. Last week, following a call with Pope Leo, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office released a statement saying he had told the pontiff that Israel's efforts to secure a hostage release deal and 60-day ceasefire, "have so far not been reciprocated by Hamas". It came as Hamas' armed wing spokesperson Abu Ubaida said the group favoured reaching an interim truce in the Gaza war, but if that could not be made in negotiations, it could revert to insisting on a full package deal to end the conflict. Hamas has repeatedly offered to release all the hostages held in Gaza and conclude a permanent ceasefire agreement, and Israel has refused, Ubaida said. Hamas says any agreement must lead to ending the war, while Netanyahu says the war will only end once Hamas is disarmed and its leaders expelled from Gaza. 'So much of this is indefensible' Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke was asked on ABC News Breakfast on Tuesday whether this was the strongest statement Australia had issued since the conflict escalated on 7 October 2023. "It would be," Burke said. "There's been a series of very strong statements that we've made. What we've been making sure of is that whenever we make a statement of this nature that we're bringing as many other countries along with us at the same time." LISTEN TO SBS News 21/07/2025 01:16 English Burke said the hostages captured by Hamas on October 7 must be released, but the "slaughter" in Gaza "has to end". "We've seen too many images of children being killed, of horrific slaughter, of churches being bombed," Burke said. "The images that we've seen have been pretty clear that so much of this is indefensible and, as that statement referred to, aid being drip-fed in." Opposition leader Sussan Ley did not say whether or not she supported the joint letter. While Ley wanted "to see aid reach those who deserve it", she said the most "important thing" was rescuing the remaining hostages. Save The Children estimates between 50,000 and 80,000 Palestinian people are sheltering in Deir al-Balah. Source: Getty / Dawoud Abo Alkas While some of the hostages have been released, others have died and about 50 are believed to still be in captivity — although Israel believes about half of those are dead. Opposition frontbencher Jonathon Duniam said Israel had a "right to self defence" and said Australia signing the joint statement was not the right approach. "There is more to this issue than this letter portrays and I think it is a sad turn of events for our government to have joined with other countries in signing this letter," he told Sky News. Much of Gaza has been reduced to a wasteland during more than 21 months of the conflict that escalated when Hamas-led militants stormed into Israel on 7 October 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages back to Gaza, according to Israeli tallies. Israel's campaign in Gaza has killed more than 59,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities, with the latest deaths reported on Monday as Israel began a new incursion in central Gaza. — With reporting by the Australian Associated Press and Reuters news agencies
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Gaza protesters gather at Parliament House
A crowd protesting the killing of children in Gaza has gathered outside Parliament House as MPs and senators return for the first sitting fortnight since the federal election. The protesters are holding what appear to be shrouded baby dolls as they wave Palestinian flags and placards calling on the Albanese government to 'sanction Israel now'. '28 children killed daily in Gaza,' another placard read. The demonstration is at the back entrance to Parliament House, where Anthony Albanese and his son, Nathan, had walked up just a day earlier. The Prime Minister will also need to pass them on his way in to open parliament. Tuesday's protest comes after Australia joined 25 other countries in calling for an immediate end to the war in Gaza, lashing Israel for 'the drip-feeding of aid and the inhumane killing of civilians'. Foreign journalists are not allowed into the war-torn Palestinian territory, leaving media to rely on death toll figures put out by the Hamas-run health ministry. According to figures from the ministry, more than 55,000 Palestinians have been killed in the 21-month conflict – a count that stacks up with independent monitors and international aid workers, who have said children are suffering the most. In a joint statement issued overnight, Australia stood with the likes of Canada, New Zealand and the UK demanding that 'the war in Gaza must end now'. 'The suffering of civilians in Gaza has reached new depths,' the statement said. 'The Israeli government's aid delivery model is dangerous, fuels instability and deprives Gazans of human dignity. 'We condemn the drip-feeding of aid and the inhumane killing of civilians, including children, seeking to meet their most basic needs of water and food. 'It is horrifying that over 800 Palestinians have been killed while seeking aid.' The countries went on to say Israel's 'denial of essential humanitarian assistance to the civilian population is unacceptable'. 'Israel must comply with its obligations under international humanitarian law,' the statement said. 'Disappointing' In brief remarks to reporters on Tuesday morning, Sussan Ley seemed to take a different view, saying it is 'very important that we understand where this conflict started and who has the opportunity and responsibility for ending it'. Israel launched its campaign in Gaza after Hamas' brutal October 7 terrorist attacks in 2023. Hundreds were taken hostage as the Islamist militant group retreated after slaughtering whole families in rural areas and carrying out a massacre at music festival. 'The first and most important thing to say about this issue is that there are still hostages in Gaza,' the Opposition Leader said. 'There are still hostages in tunnels, and a way to end the situation is for those hostages to be released by the terrorists Hamas, who control so much of the activity there. 'Of course, we want to see aid reach those who deserve it, but it is so important that Hamas that has control, often over the flow of that aid, but certainly over the ongoing completely unacceptable detention of those hostages act in the interests of the people of Gaza.' Opposition foreign affairs spokeswoman Michaelia Cash used stronger terms. 'It is disappointing that once again the Albanese government is supporting a statement attacking Israel,' she posted on social media. 'First and foremost any moral outrage about the situation in Gaza should be directed at Hamas. 'Hamas could end the suffering of the people of Gaza by freeing the remaining Israeli hostages and laying down their weapons. 'This war began because of Hamas's abhorrent attack on Israeli civilians.' She said it is 'important that aid flows into Gaza' and that enough 'quantities of food and other aid must be provided to the people'. 'However, the right system must be in place so that it can be distributed without Hamas intervening in the process,' Senator Cash said. The Israeli government has rejected the joint statement, saying it is 'disconnected from reality and sends the wrong message to Hamas'. 'All statements and all claims should be directed at the only party responsible for the lack of a deal for the release of hostages and a ceasefire: Hamas, which started this war and is prolonging it,' the Israeli foreign ministry. 'Instead of agreeing to a ceasefire, Hamas is busy running a campaign to spread lies about Israel. 'At the same time, Hamas is deliberately acting to increase friction and harm to civilians who come to receive humanitarian aid.' Hamas militants killed more than 1200 people in the October 7 assault and took hundreds more hostage, including children. It was the single worst mass killing of Jews since the Holocaust. Many hostages have been released and rescued, while others have died in Hamas' hands. At least 50 remain in captivity. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar took aim at the countries that issued the statement, saying the fact Hamas embraced their words 'is the best proof' they made a mistake. 'If Hamas embraces you – you are in the wrong place,' he posted on social media. 'Hamas's praise for the statement by the group of countries is the best proof of the mistake they made – part of them out of good intentions and part of them out of an obsession against Israel. 'We are at a very sensitive moment in the negotiations for the release of hostages and a ceasefire.'
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Politics
- News.com.au
Pro-Palestine protesters gather at Parliament House as pollies return
A crowd protesting the killing of children in Gaza has gathered outside Parliament House as MPs and senators return for the first sitting fortnight since the federal election. The protesters are holding what appear to be shrouded baby dolls as they wave Palestinian flags and placards calling on the Albanese government to 'sanction Israel now'. '28 children killed daily in Gaza,' another placard read. The demonstration is at the back entrance to Parliament House, where Anthony Albanese and his son, Nathan, had walked up just a day earlier. The Prime Minister will also need to pass them on his way in to open parliament. Tuesday's protest comes after Australia joined 25 other countries in calling for an immediate end to the war in Gaza, lashing Israel for 'the drip-feeding of aid and the inhumane killing of civilians'. Foreign journalists are not allowed into the war-torn Palestinian territory, leaving media to rely on death toll figures put out by the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry. According to figures from the ministry, more than 55,000 Palestinians have been killed in the 21-month conflict – a count that stacks up with independent monitors and international aid workers, who have said children are suffering the most. In a joint statement issued overnight, Australia stood with the likes of Canada, New Zealand and the UK demanding that 'the war in Gaza must end now'. 'The suffering of civilians in Gaza has reached new depths,' the statement said. 'The Israeli government's aid delivery model is dangerous, fuels instability and deprives Gazans of human dignity. 'We condemn the drip-feeding of aid and the inhumane killing of civilians, including children, seeking to meet their most basic needs of water and food. 'It is horrifying that over 800 Palestinians have been killed while seeking aid.' The countries went on to say Israel's 'denial of essential humanitarian assistance to the civilian population is unacceptable'. 'Israel must comply with its obligations under international humanitarian law,' the statement said. The Israeli government, which launched its campaign in Gaza following Hamas' brutal October 7 terrorist attack in 2023, has rejected the statement, calling it 'disconnected from reality and sends the wrong message to Hamas'. 'All statements and all claims should be directed at the only party responsible for the lack of a deal for the release of hostages and a ceasefire: Hamas, which started this war and is prolonging it,' the Israeli foreign ministry. 'Instead of agreeing to a ceasefire, Hamas is busy running a campaign to spread lies about Israel. 'At the same time, Hamas is deliberately acting to increase friction and harm to civilians who come to receive humanitarian aid.' Hamas militants killed more than 1200 people in the October 7 assault and took hundreds more hostage, including children. It was the single worst mass killing of Jews since the Holocaust. Many hostages have been released and rescued, while others have died in Hamas' hands. At least 50 remain in captivity. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar took aim at the countries that issued the statement, saying the fact Hamas embraced their words 'is the best proof' they made a mistake. 'If Hamas embraces you – you are in the wrong place,' he posted on social media. 'Hamas's praise for the statement by the group of countries is the best proof of the mistake they made – part of them out of good intentions and part of them out of an obsession against Israel. 'We are at a very sensitive moment in the negotiations for the release of hostages and a ceasefire.'
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Controversial ex-Labor leader Mark Latham unleashes on his former party for making embarrassing change to his parliamentary portrait - as he reveals the risque image he wants to replace it
Former Labor leader Mark Latham has furiously hit out at his former party after a note was added to his parliamentary portrait condemning his behaviour. The portrait will continue to hang in Parliament House despite Latham, who was banned from Labor in 2017, being accused of domestic violence. His former partner Nathalie Matthews alleged a 'sustained pattern' of abuse. Her allegations include he pressured her to take part in 'degrading' sex acts. Latham strongly denies the untested claims made in a civil court apprehended violence order application by Ms Matthews, saying he has 'broken no laws'. Calls have grown since the allegations were raised for his official portrait in Labor's federal party room to be removed. But a Labor caucus meeting on Monday was told a 'unanimous consensus position' had been reached where the framed picture would remain, but with a caption that would provide context. The words will read: 'In 2017 Mark Latham was expelled from the Australian Labor Party and banned for life. His actions do not accord with Labor values and fail to meet the standards we expect and demand.' The decision to add context to Latham's portrait was the right one, Finance Minister Katy Gallagher said. 'But it's a recognition ... his behaviour and attitudes don't reflect the modern Australian Labor Party.' Senator Gallagher said the wording allowed people to feel something had been done. 'It will exist there forever on our leaders wall,' she said. 'It's a pretty strong statement.' Latham led Labor between 2003 and 2005 and currently sits as an independent in the NSW upper house. He has been hit with calls to resign over sexually explicit messages allegedly sent to his former partner while sitting in the chamber of parliament. On Monday, Latham hit back on X, sharing a picture of himself at a table with mostly women. The women included his former partner Ms Matthews and sex worker and racehorse owner Carly Electric. He wrote: 'Can't the Labor caucus go the full Stalin and white me [out] with a trace around my head? Latham hit back on social media and mocked his former party Latham shared a picture of himself at a table with mostly women while referencing an Australian Financial Review report, in which a source said he 'had a harem' 'Or replace that boring head shot with what the AFR says is my harem?' The mocking post was a reference to an Australian Financial Review report last week that said complaints had been made about the former Labor leader's table at a $600-a-head champagne room at Randwick in Sydney, in April. The table included his Ms Matthews and sex worker and racehorse owner Carly Electric. A member reportedly told the AFR: 'It's like he had a harem.' Latham, who led Labor from 2003, lost his bid for the nation's top job at the 2004 federal election to former Liberal prime minister John Howard. The campaign was marked by his aggressive handshake with Howard outside the ABC's radio studios on election-eve. The infamous episode was largely blamed for his election defeat and delivered the Howard government a fourth term. Latham retired from politics a year later in 2005 before joining the Liberal Democratic Party in 2017, leading to a ban from his former party. He joined One Nation's NSW branch in 2018, but was sacked as its leader in 2023 following a homophobic social media post. The Federal Court in 2024 ordered Latham pay independent NSW politician Alex Greenwich $140,000 in damages over the homophobic post.
The Guardian
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
Labor to add text to Mark Latham's portrait as former party leader faces ongoing controversy
Federal Labor will keep Mark Latham's official portrait hanging in its caucus room at Parliament House, but add text condemning the former leader's actions since leaving federal politics. The new caption follows a defamation loss for homophobic comments about another MP and allegations of domestic violence and inappropriate behaviour being levelled at the now New South Wales upper house member. Labor's caucus chair, Sharon Claydon, told a meeting of party MPs on Monday that members concerned about Latham's portrait, which is included in a gallery of former leaders, had agreed on new text to be added to the photo. 'In 2017, Mark Latham was expelled from the Australian Labor Party and banned for life,' it will read. 'His actions do not accord with Labor values, and fail to meet the standards we expect and demand.' Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email Latham was the federal Labor leader from 2003 until 2005. He was expelled from the Labor party after joining the Liberal Democrats to run for NSW politics and has since been a member of Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party. He currently sits as an independent. The finance minister and minister for women, Katy Gallagher, said Latham was expelled from the party and banned for life in 2017. 'Action was taken back then in light of some of his behaviour, and also leaving to join another political party,' she said. 'I think there is a recognition on balance that you can't erase history. 'He was a leader, and a leader for two years and sitting there on the wall is an indication of where we have been, and perhaps for all of us, somewhere we don't want to return to. 'But I think acknowledging the fact that he was expelled and that his actions don't align with modern Australian Labor Party values, or standards of behaviour is important.' Latham has faced calls to resign after he lost a defamation case regarding homophobic comments about NSW independent MP Alex Greenwich, and criticism of his decision to air confidential medical information about Greenwich in parliament. Last week Latham also faced allegations of emotional, physical and financial abuse by a former partner in court documents. Latham's former girlfriend, Nathalie Matthews, is pursuing a private apprehended violence order against him. Leaked text messages prompted more criticism of the Legislative Council member. Latham has strongly denied the allegations against him. Latham posted on social media after the move was announced, likening the decision to Stalin's purges in Soviet Russia in the 1930s. He suggested the Labor caucus 'go the full Stalin'.
