‘It is a complete double standard to engage in and incite violent and aggressive protest and pretend you are doing something about peace’

A Labor MP says the Greens Party has been tarnished after Adam Bandt failed to condemn the “unacceptable” behaviour of pro-Palestine protesters at a Melbourne rally.

Adam Bandt has been accused of failing to address concerns about the violent protests. Picture: Martin Ollman

Greens leader Adam Bandt has been accused of failing to address serious concerns about Greens members attending violent Melbourne protests after a female Labor MP was verbally abused, two political staffers were injured and elderly constituents were left rattled.

It comes a week after Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan slammed the Greens for their antagonistic behaviour and protesters vandalised several Labor MPs’ electorate offices.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese acknowledged it had been a “difficult period” for a number of MPs and staff, whose offices were targeted, saying “these actions to intimidate have no place in democracy”.

The shocking incident occurred when aggressive pro-Palestine protesters stormed a climate forum held by Cooper MP Ged Kearney on April 30.

Cooper MP Ged Kearney wrote to Adam Bandt calling on him to condemn the behaviour of Greens members at a protest. Picture: AAP

In a letter to Mr Bandt, obtained by the Herald Sun, Ms Kearney claims the Greens were named in promotional material for the protests with former Greens candidate for Northcote Campbell Gome addressing the rally before tensions escalated.

“Aggressive and violent behaviour is legitimised if you allow Greens members to conduct themselves in the way they did on that night and it is incumbent on you to address this immediately and indeed ultimately consider their future in your party,” she wrote.

“As Leader of the Greens, I’m hoping you would agree that violent behaviour should be strongly condemned and ask that you make a statement acknowledging as much reiterating that violence has no place in Australian political discourse.”

Ms Kearney said she sympathised enormously with the cause, adding she had been an enduring supporter of the Palestinian people over the past four decades.

Pro-Palestine protesters have targeted Labor MPs. Picture: David Crosling

But she said the intimidation, physical and verbal aggression that was deliberately targeting female staff was “absolutely unacceptable”.

The Assistant Minister for Health said although Mr Gome did not take part in the violence, “the Greens Party is tarnished by these events”.

She said protesters took close up photos of staff, she was sworn at and her female adviser was also called a “bitch”.

One staff member was shoved and landed in a way that injured her ankle and hip, another had her ankle stepped on and was now forced to wear a brace, while a frail, elderly constituent was jostled by protesters.

But Mr Bandt did not respond, prompting Ms Kearney to follow up again last week.

“It is a complete double standard to engage in and incite violent and aggressive protest and pretend you are doing something about peace,” she told the Herald Sun.

“I’m disappointed that the Greens have been involved in promoting something that included aggressive, sexist and intimidating behaviour toward my community.”

Mr Bandt wrote back to Ms Kearney on Tuesday afternoon following the Herald Sun’s enquiry.

Mr Bandt’s spokesman said the Greens supported peaceful protest. Picture: Martin Ollman

A spokesman for Mr Bandt said the Greens supported peaceful protest, and the leader had spoken with and written to Ms Kearney.

“We welcome her correspondence on such an important issue,” the statement said.

“Mr Bandt underscored the importance of a worker’s right to a safe workplace, and confirmed our agreement with the Labor member’s understanding that the former candidate did not enter the hall where matters of concern are alleged to have taken place.”

Originally published as ‘It is a complete double standard to engage in and incite violent and aggressive protest and pretend you are doing something about peace’