How Anthony Albanese issued a grovelling apology to his own Marrickville electorate office staff – but hasn’t done a thing about bizarre pro-Palestine blockade of own office
EXCLUSIVE
Eight months ago, Anthony Albanese stood up in parliament to apologise to his staff for the pro-Palestinian protesters who blocked access to his office in his western Sydney constituency.
But looking further ahead, the Prime Minister’s office in Marrickville, in Sydney’s west, remains closed to the public. Staff have been warned it is too dangerous to work there and the Prime Minister himself cannot visit the office.
After being branded “weak” by the opposition last night, Albanese bizarrely refused to ask authorities to disperse the protesters – or at least clear a path for locals.
Mr Albanese knew he had a problem when he apologised to his staff for the havoc caused by the pro-Palestinian demonstrations just days before Christmas.
To Tim Murray [manager of the PMs electorate office] and my staff of the electoral college… I think it is a shame that there are so many demonstrations at the moment,” the prime minister told parliament.
‘Blocking a member of parliament’s electoral college does not change a political decision.
“It prevents people who need their local membership from accessing information about social security, health care and other matters.”
But more than eight months later, the Prime Minister’s constituents are still being prevented from discussing essential services such as Centrelink and Medicare support at his constituency office.
Eight months ago, Anthony Albanese stood up in parliament to apologise to his staff for the pro-Palestine protesters who blocked access to his office in his western Sydney constituency.
The outside of the Prime Minister’s office in Marrickville, in Sydney’s west, has been occupied by a pro-Palestinian camp, preventing voters from reaching the office.
Yesterday, a spokesperson for the Prime Minister confirmed to Daily Mail Australia that the ongoing blockade of his office was “causing disruption for vulnerable Australians seeking help”.
However, Mr Albanese is still not prepared to end the protests and do anything about them.
And this while the protesters are breaking the law by placing signs at the taxpayer-funded polling station and by squatting within the boundaries of the site itself.
When asked by Daily Mail Australia how such a situation could arise, a spokesperson for the Prime Minister said: “Citizens in a democracy have the right to protest peacefully.”
When asked why there was an inconsistency between allowing protesters in the prime minister’s backyard to block access to his office and putting up signs on the building, while attempts to do the same at Parliament House in Canberra last week resulted in severe action, the prime minister’s spokesperson declined to comment.
In such cases, protesters are arrested, fined and removed.
Pro-Palestine protesters have prevented Mr Albanese from using his own office – and prevented his constituents from visiting and using his office. The authorities have not lifted a finger
Some signage at the front of the building
In his speech to parliament last year, the prime minister noted that “the Middle East is a very difficult subject, but my constituency is not responsible for what happens there.”
Despite not being responsible for it, employees have been absent from their workplaces for most of the year, and there seems to be no end in sight.
Meanwhile, constituents who need access to essential services, such as help with Centrelink payments or assistance navigating the NDIS or guidance on accessing crisis support services, cannot get the help they need by going to the office.
The blockade also means voters cannot enter the premises to obtain items such as Australian flags or copies of the Uluṟu Declaration, which are available at polling stations across the country. The Prime Minister’s constituency recorded one of the highest Yes votes for the Voice in last year’s referendum.
Pro-Palestinian protesters climbed onto the roof of the Australian parliament last week. Their presence was not tolerated.
All constituencies will soon receive posters of King Charles, replacing the posters of Queen Elizabeth II that were previously available to voters.
But that is not the case for the prime minister’s constituency, which received one of the highest Republican votes in the 1999 referendum.
Liberal MP Ted O’Brien said Albanese voters deserved better.
“It is true that the polling station staff do not deserve this, and neither do the local people, but it is also a sad indictment of the prime minister’s authority, or lack thereof,” he said.
‘By leaving the situation unresolved for so long, the Prime Minister is sending a signal of weakness that extends beyond the Prime Minister’s own voters.
“I stand with the people of Grayndler.”
Deputy Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said: “The targeting of constituencies is completely unacceptable and we need stronger measures to stamp it out for good. We stand ready to support stronger measures to stop these attacks so that constituencies can reopen to do their vital work.
‘But it feels like this government has lost control of social cohesion. We see the pressure mounting: our war memorials are being defaced, MPs are being attacked and our parliament is being targeted by unacceptable expressions of hatred and ignorance.’
Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie said Albanese should stand up to the protesters.
“The prime minister must no longer accept this indulgent behaviour,” she said.
‘As prime minister and leader of the country, you cannot remain passive in this situation. Peaceful protests should not hinder the work of local parliamentarians who are in contact with their voters.’