Robbie Katter dragged away from pro-Palestine rally after clash with protesters
Katter’s Australian Party MPs will face a parliamentary investigation after a fierce clash with pro-Palestinian protesters on Thursday morning.
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Katter’s Australian Party MPs will face a parliamentary investigation after clashing with pro-Palestinian protesters on Thursday morning.
Party leader Robbie Katter, along with his deputy Nick Dametto, were referred to the parliamentary ethics committee after footage emerged of the pair taunting protesters at the precinct fence, waving fingers and holding a sign saying ‘CONDEMN HAMAS’.
A protester was spotted reaching over the fence and snatching the sign from Mr Dametto before scrunching it up and throwing it on the ground in the heated clash.
The vocal Free Palestine rally was expected to feature local, state and federal Greens representatives, including national party leader Adam Bandt.
Protesters screamed “shame” at government employees entering the building for the parliamentary sitting and held signs calling for a ceasefire in the Middle East.
On Thursday afternoon, Speaker Curtis Pitt told parliament the pair would be investigated by the ethics committee.
“I’m reliably informed this morning that the members for Traeger (Katter) and Hinchinbrook (Dametto), whilst on the precinct, involved themselves in a protest outside the precinct,” he said.
“I’m reliably informed that this protest material was displayed by both of these members.”
The clash comes after Greens MP Michael Berkman moved a motion in parliament on Wednesday night to address the deadly conflict and “Israel’s bombardment of Palestine”.
“This government can no longer evade responsibility for its part in the unfolding genocide in Palestine,” the Member for Maiwar said.
“Since the Hamas attacks on 7 October last year — and I want to put on the record again, to avoid any doubt, that the Greens unequivocally condemn those attacks on civilians — Israel has retaliated with such devastating and unbridled force that it is hard to witness and it is impossible to bear.
“This motion calls for an end to support for the weapons manufacturers enabling Israel’s war crimes and to instead ensure humanitarian aid is reinstated.
“It calls on this government to break its silence on Palestine and to advocate for an immediate ceasefire and the release of all hostages and political prisoners.”
The motion sparked a clash between the Greens MP and fellow crossbenchers from the KAP, with Mr Katter rising to reject the pro-Palestinian stance.
“This is a one-sided, biased view that is very narrow-minded and has not taken into consideration the fullness of what is a complex international situation,” the KAP leader said.
Multicultural Affairs Minister Charis Mullen amended the motion to note the government calling for the “immediate humanitarian ceasefire and the release of all hostages”, the “ provision of rapid, safe and unimpeded humanitarian relief to civilians” and the creation of a two-state solution.
“As all members would recognise, foreign affairs matters fall directly within the responsibility of the federal government,” Ms Mullen said.
“We strongly support the federal government’s ongoing calls for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and the release of all hostages.
“We also join calls for the provision of rapid, safe and unimpeded humanitarian relief.”
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