‘Anti-Semite’ defamation case withdrawn by Melissa Parke

Former ALP MP Melissa Parke has abandoned her defamation suit against Liberal MP Dave Sharma.

Former Labor MP Melissa Parke.

Former Labor MP Melissa Parke has abandoned her defamation suit against Liberal MP Dave Sharma over comments he made suggesting she was an anti-Semite who traded in conspiracy ­theories in relation to Israel’s treatment of Palestinians.

The lawsuit was withdrawn by Ms Parke on Wednesday, with both parties hailing the abandonment of the case as a victory for their right to freedom of speech.

Billed as a “star” Labor candidate for the West Australian seat of Curtin at last year’s federal election, Ms Parke suddenly withdrew her candidacy just weeks from polling day when it emerged she had made a speech to Palestinian activists where she rationalised Palestinian rocket attacks on Israel and claimed that Israeli soldiers had forced a pregnant woman to drink bleach at a Gaza checkpoint.

Ms Parke was quoted as saying that while rocket attacks were ­illegal under international law, they were also “a reaction to and a consequence of decades of brutal occupation”.

Her comments enraged many Labor MPs, including then Labor leader Bill Shorten. And when Ms Parke withdrew from the race, Dave Sharma tweeted a link to an article about her resignation headed “Melissa Parke quits as Labor’s Curtin ‘star candidate’ over Israel remarks”.

In his tweet, set out in court documents, he wrote: “I think anti-Semitism and trafficking in conspiracy theories amounts to a bit more than mere ‘remarks’.”

Mr Sharma issued a statement on Wednesday saying the fact Ms Parke had abandoned her defamation suit was a vindication of his right to speak his mind.

“It is a defeat for Ms Parke and all those like her who would seek to stifle political debate in this country and shut down differing view points,” he said.

“I stand by my comments that Melissa Parke’s inflammatory speech trafficked in anti-Semitism and conspiracy theories.”

However, Ms Parke said Mr Sharma had failed to substantiate or defend the accusations he had made against her in the tweet.

“Mr Sharma was not prepared to take up the challenge offered to him to justify his defamatory tweet. I consider that I am vindicated,” Ms Parke said.

“Democratic debate does not extend to vilifying those who disagree with us, and allegations of anti-Semitism must not be used as a political weapon.

“I will continue to speak out against injustice (and the) abuse of human rights.”