Labor MP’s son at ‘abhorrent’ pro-Palestine Sydney Opera House rally
The son of a NSW Labor MP joined pro-Palestine marchers in Sydney’s CBD, including at the steps of the Opera House, where anti-Semitic chanting was heard and Israeli flags burnt.
The son of a NSW MP joined pro-Palestine marchers in Sydney’s CBD last night, including at the steps of the Opera House, where anti-Semitic chanting was heard and the Israeli flag burnt, despite the prime minister urging people not to attend and the premier blasting the “abhorrent” scenes.
Gerard Buttigieg, son of NSW Labor upper house MP Mark Buttigieg, was pictured at the unauthorised Town Hall pro-Palestine march – where proceedings were peaceful and civil – but also chanting at the steps of the Sydney Opera House, in scenes later condemned by Premier Chris Minns.
Mr Buttigieg is the industrial relations, work health and safety, and multiculturalism parliamentary secretary in the Minns government.
In a video posted to a university group Instagram account, and seen by this masthead, Gerard – a 19-year-old student – can be seen in a video at Circular Quay and the Opera House steps chanting “free Palestine”.
There is no suggestion that he was involved in any of the incidents at the Opera House. It is understood he was not involved in any of the incidents described by the Premier as “abhorrent”.
Mr Buttigieg told The Australian he and his son differed on views, and that he “backed the premier (his stance and comments on the protest and incident) 100 per cent”.
He said he “totally endorsed and backed the premier’s decision”, but that his son was an individual, and entitled to free speech and legal protest.
It is understood Mr Buttigieg was not aware until after the fact that his son attended the rally.
On Monday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the rally shouldn’t be going ahead and discouraged people from attending.
On Tuesday, after the debacle at the Opera House, Mr Minns condemned the protest and the scenes – were anti-Semitic chants were heard and Israeli flags were burnt.
“At the end of the day this is the opposite of the dynamic, multicultural community that we want in New South Wales and Australia,” Mr Minns said.
“It was a situation where racial epithets were thrown at the Jewish community by the mere fact that they were members of the Jewish community.”
Mr Minns called the rally an “abhorrent and terrible protest”.
“It rips apart in small measures, potentially larger measures, the cohesion we have in NSW,” the premier said on Tuesday.
“I don’t know why this protest went ahead in any event after so much bloodshed in Israel.”
On Tuesday, Police Minister Yasmin Catley confirmed the pro-Palestine rally did not have the correct approvals to take place, saying it was a “spontaneous gathering” and police decided to manage and control a “highly volatile” crowd.
The Opera House was lit-up in the Israeli flag in an act of solidarity on Monday night, but the Jewish community had been urged to stay at home by NSW Police over safety concerns.
Through Mr Buttigieg, attempts were made by The Australian to seek comment from his son Gerard.
Employment surges by 56k as RBA rates call looms
Employment increased by 56,300 people in December, blistering past expectations as Australia’s still-tight jobs market acts as a potential barrier to interest rate cuts.
Motherhood influencer charged with torture, fraud
The Sunshine Coast woman allegedly poisoned her toddler and posted about her illnesses on social media in an effort to attract donations and followers.