Penny Wong heckled off stage by pro-Palestine protesters

The Foreign Minister was launching the Australian government’s new humanitarian policy and in a copy of the speech distributed afterwards, intended to renew calls for ‘clear timeline for the international declaration of Palestinian statehood’ | WATCH

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Pro-Palestine protesters reportedly heckled Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong off a stage at the University of Tasmania on Tuesday evening.

Senator Wong was launching the Australian government’s new humanitarian policy and in a copy of the speech distributed afterwards, intended to renew calls for “clear timeline for the international declaration of Palestinian statehood” and a “diplomatic solution, de-escalation, and ceasefire in Lebanon”.

She had intended to say Peter Dutton “is at odds with the international community – but he still can’t bring himself to back a ceasefire”.

Senator Wong was heckled by protesters at her delivery of the Sir James Plimsoll Lecture at the University of Tasmania.

Protesters yelled at Senator Wong and interrupted the address on multiple occasions, criticising government policy on the Israel-Hamas war and calling on her to sanction the Jewish state.

A university official tried to settle the protesters but the interjections continued and Senator Wong grew frustrated as she tried to continue her speech.

“Part of what I’m doing in this speech, to anybody else who wishes to speak but not listen, is actually try to lay out some of what we are doing in relation to what is happening in Gaza and what we are doing in relation to Lebanon,” she said.

“So, it’s disappointing that people don’t actually want to hear some of the facts about what the government is seeking to do in this situation.”

The hecklers were told to leave the venue, however, the comments continued.

“Our friends and family are in a total state of utter fear,” one audience member said.

“Please listen to the people who give you the power to do your job – that’s what you are, you are our representative,” another said.

Senator Wong fired back. “Do you want to hear what I have to say? Or do you want to just shout at me?” she asked.