Tony Burke has been labelled a “racist immigration minister” in an election flyer by unidentified pro-Gaza activists, as the campaign for his seat of Watson descended into dirty tricks.

Burke is facing off against independent Ziad Basyouny in the seat centred on Lakemba and Bankstown in Sydney’s west. Although usually a safe Labor seat, it has become a flashpoint for community unrest over the Albanese government’s policies towards Israel’s military action in Gaza.