Anthony Albanese launches attack on the ‘no-alition’ as Victorian Premier says she is ‘disgusted’ by pro-Palestine protesters who plunged Labor conference into lockdown

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has appeared at the Victoria ALP conference after ugly clashes between pro-Palestinian protesters, police and delegates forced the venue to go into lockdown.

Addressing delegates at the conference, the Prime Minister said a one-word answer he gave to a journalist ahead of the last election sent the opposition off the “deep end”.

“I was asked if I would support an increase in the minimum wage of one dollar an hour. I gave a one-word answer: absolutely,” Mr Albanese said.

“That one word, the very idea that Australia’s lowest paid workers should not be allowed to go backwards, was enough to send the Liberal Party and some of their media cheerleaders straight into the depths.

Protesters were seen pushing and shoving as they entered the conference

Some politicians attending the event had to be escorted to the venue by police officers

“They said it was loose, they said it was irresponsible, they said the sky would fall and the economy would come to a standstill, in other words they said what the Liberal Party would always say when something changes about wages and conditions of people to improve workplace safety or job security.’

The Prime Minister said the ‘no-alition’ said no every time and that they were wrong as more than 800,000 jobs had been created since they came to power, which is a record for a first term government.

His speech followed ugly clashes with pro-Palestinian protesters, who clashed with police and deputies during the rally.

Protesters could be seen pushing and shoving people as they pushed their way through the crowd towards the conference – including MPs and Labor delegates, who were met with beatings upon arrival.

Others had to be escorted to the location by police.

A video posted on

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan condemned the protesters’ actions in a statement on X, saying she was “disgusted” by their violence.

“Today, demonstrators and intruders brought violence, homophobia and anti-Semitism to the front door of the state conference,” she wrote at 1:25 pm on Saturday.

‘I’m disgusted. No one should be intimidated by these bullies.

“As Premier, my priority is a cohesive society where all Victorians feel safe and respected. That’s what I’m fighting for.’

MPs and deputies faced abuse from the protesters when they arrived at the location

Mr Albanese claimed his one-word answer to a question about the minimum wage had sent ‘no-alition’ off the ‘deep end’ (he is pictured at the 2024 Victorian Labor state conference)

It is understood security had to lock down the building and move deputies to a secure area after protesters stormed the building.

Outside the conference, demonstrators try to disrupt the conference by chanting pro-Palestinian messages through megaphones.

Victoria Police confirmed no arrests had been made but they would also be at the racecourse tomorrow if the conference went ahead for a second day.

“A group of protesters entered the gate of a location on Feehan Ave this morning and were moved on without incident,” the spokesperson said.

“Our priority is the safety of the community and officers will ensure no breaches of the peace occur.”

Senator Lidia Thorpe spoke at the meeting as the conference took place in a building at the racecourse (she is pictured at the meeting)

Protesters included trade union and community groups who have called on the Victorian government to end its ties with Israel.

In a statement on social media, Unionists for Palestine said they were protesting the Albanian government’s $917 million defense contract with Israel and wanted the state government to end a partnership with an Israeli arms manufacturer.

“Trade Unionists for Palestine stand with dissenters in the ALP, such as Senator Fatima Payman, who recently broke ranks with the party line and called Israel’s attack on Gaza for what it is: a genocide,” the statement said .

‘Despite Payman’s statement and growing unrest among Labour, the ALP governments are shamefully on the wrong side of history by failing to condemn Israel’s actions, including war crimes against the Palestinian people.’

Senator Lidia Thorpe spoke at the meeting as the conference took place in a building at the racecourse.