An outraged Anthony Albanese has criticized anti-Semitic vandals targeting MPs’ offices, after a Jewish politician’s office was attacked overnight in Melbourne.
Windows were smashed and the front of Federal Labor MP Josh Burns’ constituency office in St Kilda was set on fire in what he called a “politically motivated attack”.
The walls of the building were painted with red paint and painted with a slogan that read “Zionism is Fascism.”
A furious Prime Minister said the attack was “very distressing” and those responsible must be held accountable for their criminal actions.
‘This is an escalation of the attacks we have seen. We’ve been talking about this. We have to reduce this,” he told ABC radio.
An outraged Anthony Albanese (pictured) has criticized vandals attacking the MP’s offices, after a Jewish politician’s office was attacked overnight in Melbourne.
The walls of the building were painted with red paint and painted with an anti-Semitic slogan reading “Zionism is Fascism” (pictured).
‘Some people have very strong feelings about the problems in the Middle East. But it is no reason to attack MPs half a world away in Australia, and in particular attacking a Jewish MP is very worrying.’
At least five people were seen near the office on Barkly Street in St Kilda about 3.20am on Wednesday, police were told.
Investigators said small fires were lit in telecommunications shafts at the front of the building before the group fled the scene.
Burns has been targeted by vandals in the past who defaced his election signs.
Police closed Barkly Street in both directions after the attack.
In a statement posted on social media, Burns said his office was damaged in a “politically motivated attack.”
“I have been in contact with the Federal Police and am awaiting further advice,” he said.
‘My team will not be in the office this morning, or until we are told it is safe to do so, but we are still here to help our community and can be contacted by email.
“I understand that those who have seen images or visions of the attack may find it distressing.”
Albanese said the attack is a distressing escalation that must be de-escalated.
“This should be seen as an attack on someone who is a Jewish MP, someone who runs an office that looks after the interests of the people,” he said.
‘How people think they can advance their cause through activities like this is beyond me. Does nothing. “It undermines the cause that people claim to represent.”
Windows were smashed and the front of Federal Labor MP Josh Burns’ (pictured) constituency office in St Kilda was set on fire in what he called a “politically motivated attack”.
Anti-Defamation Commission chairman Dr Dvir Abramovich said the vandalism of a Jewish MP’s office is an “assault on our democracy and our sense of security”.
Victorian Greens leader Ellen Sandell condemned the violence and property damage but said the movement calling for an end to the war in Gaza was largely peaceful.
Federal Labor Minister Katy Gallagher said attacks on politicians’ offices “are not the way we do politics in Australia”.
“This type of criminal activity (vandalism) is outrageous and we need to make sure the community understands that this simply does not happen,” he told ABC TV.
