‘Legitimate’: NSW Young Greens back damage done to Labor MP’s office

The youth branch of the NSW Greens have endorsed the vandalisation of a Labor MP’s office with Hamas-linked symbols, placing them at odds with their federal leader.

The youth branch of the NSW Greens have endorsed the vandalisation of a Labor MP’s office which was spray painted with a Hamas-linked symbol and had a hole drilled through a door, which a foul-smelling substance was poured through.

The NSW Young Greens uploaded an Instagram post backing the damage done to the office of Peter Khalil, who had been appointed the government’s special envoy for social cohesion, inner-Melbourne office between 2am and 9am on Monday.

“NSW Young Greens considers property damage as a legitimate form of non-violent direct action,” the political body posted on their Instagram on Monday after the incident.

Police are investigating after a terrorist symbol was among graffiti spray painted onto an MP’s electorate office in Melbourne early on Monday. An inverted red triangle, a symbol used by Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, was painted on the office of Labor MP Peter Khalil, along with the slogan ‘glory to the martyrs’. Picture: Office of Peter Khalil

“The NSWYG acknowledges the long standing history of The Greens supporting non-violent direct action.”

Mr Khalil told the ABC after the incident the alleged offenders had drilled a hole into the door of his office, with “fire extinguishers and other kinds of propellants” used to launch “substances” into the building.

“We’re just not sure what’s in there, the smell is horrific. It smells like an abattoir and it’s hard to breathe nearby it,” he said.

The stance of the NSW Young Greens puts them at odds with their federal leader, Adam Bandt, who posted on social media his party “condemn(s) the vandalism on the Wills’ electorate office”.

The office also allegedly had a hole drilled in a door, through which a substance was poured. Picture: Office of Peter Khalil

“Protests must always be peaceful and non-violent,” he said.

“Everyone should feel safe at work, and we wish Peter Khalil and his team well after this vandalism overnight.”

It’s understood the Young Greens social media account is not formally authorised by the party.

When asked if the Federal arm of the Greens agreed with the claims from the account, a spokesman for leader Adam Bandt referred to his comments on Monday condemning the attack.

“The Greens condemn the vandalism on the Wills’ electorate office,” Mr Bandt wrote on X.

“Protests must always be peaceful and non-violent.

“Everyone should feel safe at work, and we wish Peter Khalil and his team well after this vandalism overnight.”

The NSW Greens were contacted for a response.

Originally published as ‘Legitimate’: NSW Young Greens back damage done to Labor MP’s office