Ro Knox: ‘Every vote will count’
Knox characterised next week's poll as "the most important election of our lifetimes".
Ro Knox expressed optimism about her election chances to The AJN last week while also emphasising her strong stance on issues important to the Jewish community, particularly support for Israel.
The Liberal candidate criticised the Labor government for what she described as abandoning the Jewish community in the aftermath of the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks. She specifically pointed to Foreign Minister Penny Wong’s rhetoric on the international stage, claiming it “emboldened some of these antisemitic attacks” by depicting Israel as “not a friend” of Australia.
“I think it’s extraordinarily disappointing that we’ve had a government that has gone against decades and decades of bipartisan support.
“The Jewish community feels so let down … someone said to me the other day, they’ve been abandoned by this government, and that’s something I hear a lot of.”
Having visited Israel late last year, Knox described the devastating scale of the October 7 attacks, visiting affected kibbutzim and speaking with hostage families and survivors. She expressed shock at “how far apart [in distance] the attacks were” and the deliberate targeting of food security infrastructure.
Knox highlighted Liberal leader Peter Dutton’s endorsement of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry’s 15-point antisemitism plan, contrasting this with Prime Minister Albanese’s response which she characterised as inadequate.
While acknowledging that the current independent member for Wentworth, Allegra Spender, is “well-liked”, Knox argued that the teal independents have been ineffective, noting “not one private member bill of the teals has been able to get through Parliament”.
“We have to have a seat at the table again,” Knox said. “Wentworth should have a minister at least as a sitting member. We’ve got to be front and centre of policy making for this country.”
Beyond Israel-related issues, Knox identified cost of living as the electorate’s primary concern, particularly grocery prices, rent, energy costs and childcare. She noted that despite Wentworth’s wealthy reputation, over 51 per cent of its voters are renters, with many young people unable to afford independent living.
Knox warned against the possibility of a Labor–Greens government, which she described as “absolutely catastrophic” for Australia’s relationship with Israel and the economy overall.
With pre-poll voting underway, Knox characterised next week’s poll as “the most important election of our lifetimes”, urging voters to support the Liberal Party.
“We are very optimistic, but it is going to be extraordinarily close,” she said of her chances. “Every single vote is going to count.”
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