Acting Premier Prue Car admits she ‘was not briefed’ on Sydney Opera House protest

The MP in charge on the night of the Sydney Opera House anti-Israel protest has made a stunning revelation.

The woman who filled in as premier on the day of a highly criticised Sydney Opera House protest has revealed she was not aware of the rapidly escalating tensions prior to the rally.

Prue Car was the acting premier on the day pro-Palestinian protesters marched from Town Hall to the Sydney Opera House, where some attendees were filmed lighting flares, making anti-Semitic chants and setting the Israeli flag alight.

The revelation came on the first day of budget estimates on Tuesday when Ms Car was questioned by opposition education spokeswoman Sarah Mitchell over her involvement in the lead-up to the protest as the state’s stand-in leader.

“I was not briefed about what was planned to occur that evening,” said Ms Car, who also confirmed she did not discuss the matter with the Police Minister Yasmin Catley or the Premier Chris Minns, who was on leave at the time.

In response, Ms Mitchell said: “Right, so no one was in charge that day.”

Deputy Premier Prue Car told the budget estimates committee that she had not been briefed about the protest. Picture: NSW parliament

NCA NewsWire understands that while Ms Car was authorised to act if required, Mr Minns was available on the day and therefore she was not required to exercise any functions as Acting Premier.

About 3pm that day, protest organisers Palestine Action Group said they would hold a secondary rally at the Sydney Opera House after ending their initial demonstration at Sydney’s Town Hall.

The rally coincided with the state government’s decision to illuminate the Opera House with the colours of the Israeli flag in solidarity with NSW’s Jewish community after Hamas attacks killed more than a 1000 Israeli civilians.

While the NSW government didn’t release a public statement asking people not to attend the protests, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese went on 2GB and said he didn’t believe the rally should proceed.

“I think people need to really take a step back,” he said.

The police had also issued a statement saying they were aware of the planned protest activity and would have a presence at the protests.

Protesters lit flares, shouted anti-Semitic slurs and burned the Israeli flag on the Opera House forecourt. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Jeremy Piper

The opposition has seized on the government’s handling of the protests, with Ms Catley surviving a failed censure motion initiated by Liberal leader Mark Speakman.

The day after, Mr Minns resolutely condemned the protesters’ actions said the behaviour was “appalling”.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday afternoon, Ms Mitchell said Ms Car’s admissions were “seriously concerning”.

“I asked her about the rally and she didn’t know what rally I was referring to. Now these are images that have been broadcasted across the world,” she said.

“The Deputy Premier said she didn’t speak to the Premier about it at all that day. This sounds like a government trying to clean up after the fact because no one knew what was going on.”

Originally published as Acting Premier Prue Car admits she ‘was not briefed’ on Sydney Opera House protest