Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan “disgusted” by violent protesters outside state Labor conference

The Victorian Premier has blasted the actions of protesters who stormed the Victorian Labor Conference on Saturday.

The Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan is “disgusted” by the actions of pro-Palestine protesters who brought “violence, homophobia and anti-Semitism” to Victoria’s Labor Conference on Saturday.

Taking to X (formerly known as Twitter) the premier said no one should be cowered by these bullies.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NCA NewsWire Photos - 18 MAY 2024: Pro-Palestine protesters are seen in a confrontation with members of Victoria Police as they attempted to enter the Moonee Valley Racecourse as the ALP Conference occurred inside. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Diego Fedele

Delegates were pushed, shoved and hurled abuse as they arrived at the conference being held at the Moonee Valley Racecourse they

Some delegates had to be escorted to the conference, which went into lockdown when protesters stormed the building.

Pro-Palestine protesters scuffle with Victoria Police as they attempted to enter the Moonee Valley Racecourse as the ALP Conference was occurring inside. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Diego Fedele

People responded to the Premier’s post disagreeing with her sentiments with one person saying, “As someone who was there and listened to speeches, I heard no antisemitism or homophobia and saw no violence,” they said.

“What I heard were Victorians calling on the Victorian and federal governments to comply with international law and end their complicity in genocide.”Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made an appearance at the Victoria ALP Conference after ugly confrontations between pro-Palestine protesters, police and delegates which sent the venue into lockdown.

The PM addressed delegates at the conference saying a one-word answer he gave a journalist ahead of the last election sent the opposition off the “deep end.”

“I was asked if I would support an increase in the minimum wage of $1 an hour. I gave a one-word answer: absolutely,” Mr Albanese said.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles at the Victorian Labor Party conference at Moonee Valley Racecourse. Picture: NewsWire/ David Crosling

“That one word, the very idea that the lowest paid workers in Australia should not go backwards, that was enough to send the Liberal Party and some of their cheer squad in the media right off the deep ends.

“They said it was loose, they said it was irresponsible, they said the sky would fall in and the economy would shut down, in other words they said what the Liberal Party would always say when there’s a change to improve people’s wages and conditions or workplace safety or job security.”

The PM said the “no-alition” said no every time and they were wrong as more than 800,000 jobs had been created since they came into power and a record for a first term government.

Albanese with Victorian Labor MP Emma Vulin who has motor neurone disease, at the Victorian Labor Party conference. Picture: NewsWire/ David Crosling

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan (right) is also expected to address the crowd later. Picture: NewsWire/David Crosling

His rallying speech followed ugly confrontations with pro-Palestine protesters, who clashed with police and delegates as they attended.

Protesters could be seen shoving and pushing people as they make their way through the crowd into the conference – some of which included MPs and Labor delegates, who were met with abuse upon arriving.

Others had to be escorted into the venue by police.

Pro-Palestine protesters are seen in a confrontation with members of Victoria Police as they attempted to enter the Moonee Valley Racecourse as the ALP Conference occurred inside. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Diego Fedele

The building was placed into lockdown after the protesters stormed the venue. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Diego Fedele

Attendees were shoved and confronted as they attempted to enter. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Diego Fedele

Victoria Police confirmed no arrests were made but said officers would be in attendance at the venue on Sunday, as the state conference continues. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Diego Fedele

A video posted to X (formerly Twitter) shows hundreds of protesters storm a building where the conference is taking place with people inside the building chanting, “Free, free, Palestine,” and banging on walls.

Pro-Palestine protesters kick the main entrance the ALP Conference occurs inside. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Diego Fedele

A video on X (formerly Twitter) shows the protesters chanting and banging on walls. Picture: X

Trade Unionists for Palestine said they were protesting against the Albanese’s Government’s $917m defence contract with Israel. Picture: X

It is understood security had to put the building into lockdown, moving delegates to a secure area after the protesters stormed the building.

Outside the conference protesters try to disrupt the conference by chanting pro-Palestine messages through megaphones.

A Victoria Police confirmed that no arrests had been made but they would also be at the racecourse tomorrow when the conference continues for a second day.

Senator Lidia Thorpe shouts at Climate Minister Lily D' Ambrosio as pro-Palestine protesters attempt to enter the Moonee Valley Racecourse as the ALP Conference occurred inside. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Diego Fedele

“A group of protesters entered the gates to a venue on Feehan Ave this morning and were moved on without incident,” the spokesperson said.

“Our priority is the safety of the community and officers will ensure there are no breaches of the peace.”

Protesters included union and community groups which have called on the Victorian Government to end its ties with Israel.

Signs held by the protesters – one displaying “Stop Israeli State Terrorism”. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Diego Fedele

In a statement released on social media, Trade Unionists for Palestine said they were protesting against the Albanese’s Government’s $917m defence contract with Israel and wanted the state government to end a partnership with an Israeli arms manufacturer.

“Trade Unionists for Palestine stand with dissenters in the ALP such as Senator Fatima Payman who recently broke ranks with party line and called Israel’s attack on Gaza what it is, a genocide,” the statement said.

Lidia Thorpe speaks at a Pro-Palestine rally outside the Moonee Valley Racecourse as the ALP Conference occurs inside. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Diego Fedele

“Despite Payman’s statement and growing disquiet in Labor rank and file, ALP governments stand shamefully on the wrong side of history in failing to condemn Israel’s actions including war crimes committed on the Palestinian people.”

Senator Lidia Thorpe spoke at the rally while the conference was taking place inside a building at the racecourse.