NSW, Victoria urged to deny protest permits after Hezbollah flag displays

The Coalition has asked states to consider denying future protest permits for the groups behind recent rallies where some people waved Hezbollah flags.

The Coalition has asked states to consider denying future protest permits for the groups behind recent rallies where some people waved Hezbollah flags and yelled abuse directed at Jewish people.

Liberal Senator and former ambassador to Israel Dave Sharma on Tuesday wrote to both NSW and Victoria police ministers urging them to consider blocking future protest requests due to the “irresponsible and threatening behaviour” witnessed at demonstrations in Sydney and Melbourne on Sunday.

Mr Sharma also asked that police be instructed to “intervene during the course of future protests if prohibited symbols are displayed again”.

He said in the year since the October 7 terror attacks, “radical elements” had been allowed to “dominate our streets and public environment, in a way that has made Australia’s Jewish community feel deeply unsafe”.

Mr Sharma said he was “appalled” to witness “first hand” the public demonstration in Melbourne where flags and symbols of Hezbollah were held.

Coalition Senator Dave Sharma has written to NSW and Victoria police ministers urging them to consider denying protest permits after Hezbollah flags were displayed at rallies on Sunday. Picture: Martin Ollman

“I heard chants and remarks of violence and abuse directed at “Jews” and at “Zionists”,” he said in a letter to Victorian Police Minister Anthony Carbines.

“A number of spectators who attracted the ire of the protesters were abused, threatened and intimidated.”

Some protesters held the yellow Hezbollah flag at a rally in Sydney, although police have confirmed displaying a symbol may not constitute an offence on its own. Picture: NewsWire / Damian Shaw

In a separate letter to NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley, Mr Sharma said he was aware of reports indicating similar chants and abusive comments were heard at the Sydney protest.

He asked both state ministers to ensure protesters in breach of new hate laws regarding displays of prohibited terrorist group symbols are held to account.

As of September 30, the Australian Federal Police received six reports of crimes from Victoria police investigating the protest, but no one has been charged under the new Commonwealth laws.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says displaying terror symbols is unacceptable. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Anthony Albanese said on Tuesday there was “no place” for mourning a terrorist leader in Australia.

“We are very concerned about some of the terrorist symbols,” the Prime Minister said.

“It’s completely unacceptable.

“That’s why the AFP and authorities will investigate – any use of terrorist symbols will be investigated by the security agencies, as is appropriate.”

Opposition leader Peter Dutton said it should be illegal to hold a terrorist symbol, and if current laws were “inadequate” then the AFP Commissioner should advise the minister and “the parliament should deal with it as a matter of urgency“.

“We would support the government in any changes that are required to stop the glorification of a terrorist organisation,” he said.

Coalition home affairs spokesman James Paterson says Australia has a ‘homegrown’ extremism problem. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Meanwhile Coalition home affairs spokesman James Paterson has warned Australia has a “homegrown extremism problem”, citing recent memorials and protesters glorifying Hezbollah’s slain leader Hassan Nasrallah.

“What we need to do to deal with that homegrown problem is the enforcement of the law,” he told Sky News.

“And until that happens, we can’t be sure that it’ll be stopped.”

Mr Paterson said Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke “hasn’t actually done anything” to cancel visas of anyone involved in the protests.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke says he does not want hatred and anger from around the world imported to Australia. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Mr Burke said protesters on visas who police are concerned about would be referred to him, but warned he could not “prejudge” whether carrying a Hezbollah flag was grounds for cancellation.

“I’ve got very strong views against hate speech and hate symbols,” he told ABC.

“I don’t want the anger and hatred from around the world being imported into Australia, and so, as far as I’m concerned, it doesn’t matter which side of a conflict you’re on – if you’re involved in inciting discord and hatred in Australia then I want to have a look, and I ask the department to prepare a brief for me so I can consider whether the visa should be cancelled.”

Mr Burke said there was a “higher standard” in Australia of expected conduct if you’re in the country as a guest on a visa.