Victorian Parliament refuses debate
The Labor government used its parliamentary majority to refuse leave for the debate, as it was a procedural motion to suspend normal business.
A motion condemning Hamas and expressing solidarity with Victoria’s Jewish community was blocked from debate in the Victorian Parliament yesterday, sparking criticism from opposition MPs.
David Southwick, Liberal Member for Caulfield, attempted to move a motion that would have seen the house condemn the Hamas terrorist atrocities of 7 October, which saw 1,195 people murdered and 251 taken hostage”.
However, the Labor government used its parliamentary majority to refuse leave for the debate, as it was a procedural motion to suspend normal business.
Jewish Community Council of Victoria (JCCV) President Philip Zajac said while they are appreciative that Premier Jacinta Allan, Deputy Premier Ben Carroll and a number of their colleagues joined with the local community last week to mark the first anniversary of the October 7 attack on Israel, it is puzzling that the Government rejected attempts to mark the anniversary in Parliament.
He said “There is strength and purpose in a bipartisan motion that mourns civilian deaths, calls for the immediate return of the hostage and supports Israel’s right to self-defence against those seeking its destruction. We would encourage Parliament to come together for this purpose.”
Southwick said afterwards, “All we wanted was a simple, bipartisan statement commemorating the anniversary of October 7, condemning Hamas, and standing with our Jewish community. It’s just sickening that the Allan Labor Government refused to even consider it.”
Opposition leader John Pesutto said after both sides of the Victorian Parliament came together in solidarity with the Jewish community a year ago, it’s disappointing that Premier Allan refused to stand with the Jewish community again.
James Newbury, Liberal Member for Brighton responded by saying, “We have all seen the lack of empathy and friendship shown by the Minister for Foreign Affairs. It seems like Premier Allan is doing the very same.”
Labor MP Josh Bull defended the government’s position in the House, saying, “This government and … all members of the house express our deepest sympathies to any of those people within the Victorian community, those across our nation and indeed those that are in the Middle East right now dealing with the horrors and the atrocities that are happening.”
He emphasised the government’s commitment to community safety, stating: “In no shape or form is violence within our state okay and this government will continue to provide for safety right across our community.”
A subsequent attempt by the Greens to move a motion condemning Israel’s actions in Gaza and Lebanon and calling on the Victorian Labor government to stop arming Israel was also blocked by the government.
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