Pro-Palestinian protesters storm Labor state conference
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“Palestine will live forever. Albanese blood on your hands!”
About 200 protesters gathered outside the Victorian Labor’s state conference at Moonee Valley Racecourse, sending it into lockdown as police attempted to move the protesters on.
Delegates were blocked from entering, before dozens of protesters breached security, entering the building and banging on the conference room doors.
Speeches by Anthony Albanese and Jacinta Allan were delayed by the protest.
Protesters called on the party to cut military and trade ties with Israel.
A delegate from construction union CFMEU (Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union) was among those calling for support for pro-Palestinian motions.
“I’m not long at big speeches because I’m used to toolboxes on building sites, but rest assured, we’re not going to go in there and not say anything. We have motions on the ground, we’ll keep fighting for people to be able to live free, to be able to not be bombed by weapons that have come from Australia, and we hope that everyone keeps fighting. Thank you.”
A statement from Trade Unionists for Palestine says the protest action had support from numerous unions, as well as pro-Palestinian groups such as Mums for Palestine.
Inside, party delegates debated motions brought on state and federal policies, including the conflict in Gaza, the future gas strategy, and the state’s public housing plans.
Premier Jacinta Allan told the conference even amid the party debate on motions, it is important to remember what unites all party members.
Addressing the issue of the protest outside, she said she was disgusted by the protesters’ action, telling delegates intimidation won’t work.
“As we’ve seen today, there are those who want to distract us, to silence us, to scare us, but our movement and our party is one of the oldest in the world. We are descendants of that proud legacy and defenders of that shining future because it is only Labor, the movement that people and in turn then Labor governments that will make our state and our nation fairer for everyone.”
Mr Albanese did not address the protest – nor mention the Gaza conflict directly – in his speech to the party faithful.
He did list the challenges faced by Australians in recent times, including natural disasters, the COVID pandemic, economic uncertainty, and “conflict and challenge overseas”.
He says the government is working to build a better future for the country.
“And it takes Labor governments to deliver, to get things done that requires a lot more than the stroke of a pen. Making meaningful change can be patient and painstaking work and making change last takes time. We know there’s more to do on cost of living, on Medicare, on housing, on education, on climate change, and more to do to seize the generational opportunities of this moment.”
The Australian government has repeatedly condemned the October 7 Hamas attack – and continues to call for the release of hostages.
It is has also called for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza – and the delivery of aid.
At last year’s meeting, Victorian Labor members passed a motion for the Albanese government to recognise Palestinian statehood within this term of parliament.
The motions for the two-day conference – drafted by pro-Palestinian supporters within Labor’s Socialist Left faction – include a call for the Albanese government to support the “inalienable right of self-determination for the Palestinian people”.
Another motion calls for an end to Israel’s “perpetual military occupation and human rights violations” in Gaza.
There are growing tensions within the party over the conflict.
Earlier this week (16 May), New South Wales Premier Chris Minns sacked outspoken pro-Palestinian MP Anthony D’Adam from his role as a parliamentary secretary, after he labelled Police Commissioner Karen Webb a “liar” over the behaviour of officers at pro-Palestinian protests.
And separately, Western Australian Labor Senator Fatima Payman broke ranks with the party (15 May), urging the prime minister and her government to sanction the Israeli government, and calling on her colleagues to “stand for what is right”.
A spokesperson for Victoria Police says protesters left without incident and no arrests were made.
