Pro-Palestine protesters screamed over politicians during Question Time calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and accusing the nation’s leaders of ‘genocide’.
Member for Bean, David Smith, was interrupted in the House of Representatives on Monday afternoon, when he drowned out by furious chants.
A group sitting in the House’s public gallery yelled, ‘Shame, shame’ while the Canberra politician quizzed Attorney General Mark Dreyfus on Labor’s new Administrative Review Tribunal – which will review government decisions.
The calls from protesters continued as Mr Dreyfus attempted to answer.
‘You support genocide!’ demonstrators yelled.
Other protesters singled out Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s response to the conflict.
‘Albanese, your hands are red. 15,000 children dead!,’ the mob chanted.
Member for Bean, David Smith (pictured), was interrupted during Question Time by pro-Palestine protesters
Others called for a ‘ceasefire now’.
It’s estimated that more than 30,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israel declared war on the terror group Hamas.
The conflict was ignited on October 7 when militants crossed the Gaza Strip into southern Israel killing more than 1,100 people and taking about 240 as hostages.
Some Palestinian supporters have criticised the Australian government for not denouncing Israel.
Labour’s Mr Dreyfus responded to Mr Smith’s questions about the new Administrative Review Tribunal by highlighting the practice of ‘stacking’ in the Liberal Party.
‘As many as 85 former Liberal MPs, failed Liberal candidates, former Liberal staffers and other close associates of the Liberal were piled into plum jobs without any merit based selection process,’ he told the floor.
‘They did it again and again, including on the eve of the last election.
‘Decisions of the [Administrative Review Tribunal] have life-changing impacts for thousands of Australians; from people with a disability seeking support through the NDIS to vulnerable families trying to get the right Social Security payments.’
The pro-Palestine demonstrators yelled ‘shame’ at the politicians and called for a ceasefire (pictured, a Free Palestine rally outside Brisbane’s Parliament House earlier this month)
As he continued, protesters were removed from the public gallery by security.
At the end of his response, Mr Dreyfus joked: ‘I hope you heard the last part of my answer.’
Greens Senator Max Chandler-Mather later applauded the protesters online.
‘Solidarity with the protesters for Palestine in Question Time today peacefully fighting for a ceasefire and an end to the genocide in Gaza,’ he said.
‘Their voices reflect the wishes of millions of people across Australia. History will remember you well.’
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