1 Comment

As you note, the Government shouldn’t have to wait for 18,000 people to be killed in mass bombing to call for a ceasefire. My only conclusion is that in addition to cynical geopolitical interests, the ALP (bar some individual MPs) and LNP just do not see Palestinians as human beings worthy of respect. The commentary from the Federal Government has shown the foreign policy to being selective in its outrage at Russia’s occupation of Ukraine versus the actions of the far right Israeli administration. Penny Wong, Albanese and Marles have lost a lot of credibility.

In the Guardian story about the protestor being removed from Albanese’s press conference, it noted that neither Albanese, two State Ministers nor local councillors (bar one) voiced concern at the police manhandling.

It looks like that our leaders, LNP or ALP can talk a good game on freedom of speech, but conveniently put that to the side when someone dares to criticise them. The state exercising its powers to manhandle protestors and prosecute whistleblowers, and being silent as aggressive lobby groups work to silence free speech at literary festivals demonstrates the attacks on freedom of expression. The commentary in the media about Palestinians has been incredibly dehumanising.

Expand full comment