Wentworth candidates face off during election forum
Wentworth MP Allegra Spender, Liberal candidate Ro Knox and Kingsford Smith incumbent Matt Thistlethwaite took part in a Jewish community election forum.
Wentworth MP Allegra Spender has insisted she will not do any preferencing deals in the event of a minority government, while candidate Ro Knox shut down any prospect of the Liberal Party funding the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA).
Spender and Knox faced off at the Wentworth and Kingsford Smith election forum, organised by the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies and the Executive Council of Australian Jewry.
Kingsford Smith incumbent Matt Thistlethwaite also took part in the spirited debate.
“I’m an Independent and I have been really clear that I will not go into any coalitions or do any deals,” said Spender.
“I was clear last time and again, I don’t do any preferencing deals.
“I know many in the community are concerned about the Greens and the impact of the Greens on the Jewish community. I want to be extremely clear, and I’ll say it again, I have voted against the Greens on every single motion related to Israel in this parliament. I have called out the Greens repeatedly when I believe their words have particularly targeted the Jewish community.”
The issues surrounding preferencing and UNRWA funding were the major discussion points on the night, with audience members allowed to submit their questions to the candidates.
Spender acknowledged some members of the community have questioned her friendship since she signed a letter calling for the Australian government to restore its funding to UNWRA despite its Hamas links, but said she will “continue to be a friend of the Jewish community”.
“I’ve been called an antisemite and worse, and I stand before you today to say firmly and respectfully that that is grossly unfair and untrue,” she said.
“I am the strongest ally for the Jewish community on the crossbench … You can count on me. I am a friend of this community, and I will continue to be on your side whether you vote for me or not.”
Spender said she has never supported UNRWA as an organisation, but believes that in a humanitarian crisis, “you must work to get aid where it is needed”.
During the ceasefire Spender said she recommended funding Project Rozana and was pleased when the Australian government pledged $4million to the Israel-Palestinian health diplomacy organisation earlier this year.
Knox, who spoke of her close connection to Israel having studied there many years ago, said the Liberal Party “will absolutely not be funding UNRWA in any form”.
“We don’t need people who are going to sit on the fence and sign letters in support of Israel’s enemies,” said Knox.
“We need the strongest of friends. We need the most consistent of friends, and we may need the most certain of friends. The Liberal Party will continue the unwavering support for the Jewish community.”
Thistlethwaite attempted to defend the Albanese government, but didn’t get much in the way of support from the audience.
“Australian governments of all persuasion since 1951 have been involved in funding UNRWA. The reason is it’s the only organisation that is providing food relief in Gaza,” he said.
“As a Christian, I can’t stand by and allow children to starve to death.”
Spender concluded by saying whether she continues to be the member for Wentworth or Knox is elected for the Liberal Party, “I believe you will have a genuine friend as your representative in parliament”.
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