Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made an appearance at the ALP Conference in Victoria after ugly clashes between pro-Palestinian protesters, police and delegates shut down the venue.
The prime minister addressed delegates at the conference saying that a one-word answer he gave to a journalist before the last election brought the opposition “off the deep end”.
‘I was asked if I would support an increase in the minimum wage to $1 an hour. I responded with one word: absolutely,” said Mr. Albanese.
“That one word, the very idea that the lowest paid workers in Australia should not be pushed back, was enough to send the Liberal Party and some of its media cheerleaders into ruin.
Albanese’s rally speech came after ugly clashes with pro-Palestinian protesters, who clashed with police and delegates as they attended (pictured).
Protesters were seen pushing and shoving as they made their way toward the conference.
Some politicians attending the event had to be escorted to the venue by police officers.
“They said it was lazy, they said it was irresponsible, they said the sky would fall and the economy would shut down, in other words they said what the Liberal Party would always say when there is a change to improve people’s wages and conditions or workplace safety or job security.’
The Prime Minister said that the ‘non-alliance’ said no always and that they were wrong, as more than 800,000 jobs had been created since they came to power and a record for a first term of government.
His rally speech followed ugly clashes with pro-Palestinian protesters, who clashed with police and delegates as they attended.
Protesters could be seen pushing and shoving people as they pushed their way through the crowd towards the conference, some of whom included Labor MPs and delegates, who were met with abuse upon arrival.
Others had to be escorted to the scene by police.
A video posted on
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan condemned the protesters’ actions in a statement to X, saying she was “disgusted” by their violence.
“Today, protesters and intruders brought violence, homophobia and anti-Semitism to the front door of the state conference,” he wrote at 1:25 p.m. on Saturday.
‘I am disgusted. No one should be intimidated by these bullies.
‘As Prime Minister, my priority is a cohesive society where all Victorians feel safe and respected. “That’s why I’m fighting.”
The parliamentarians and delegates were greeted with abuse by the protesters when they arrived at the scene.
Albanese claimed his one-word answer to a question about the minimum wage had taken ‘non-alliance’ to the ‘deep end’ (pictured at the 2024 Victorian state Labor conference)
It is understood security had to lock down the building and move delegates to a secure area after protesters broke into the building.
Outside the conference, protesters attempt to disrupt the conference by chanting pro-Palestinian messages through megaphones.
Victoria Police confirmed no arrests had been made but would also be at the racecourse tomorrow when the conference continues for a second day.
“A group of protesters entered through the doors of a location on Feehan Avenue this morning and were removed without incident,” the spokesperson said.
“Our priority is the safety of the community and officers will ensure there is no breach of the peace.”
Senator Lidia Thorpe spoke at the rally as the conference was held inside a building at the racecourse (pictured at the rally)
Among the protesters were union and community groups who have called on the Victorian government to end its ties with Israel.
In a statement posted on social media, Unionists for Palestine said they were protesting the Albanese government’s $917 million defense contract with Israel and wanted the state government to end a partnership with an Israeli arms manufacturer.
“Unionists for Palestine support dissidents in the ALP, such as Senator Fatima Payman, who recently broke ranks with the party line and called Israel’s attack on Gaza what it is: a genocide,” the statement said.
‘Despite Payman’s statement and growing unrest among the Labor rank and file, ALP governments are shamefully on the wrong side of history by failing to condemn Israel’s actions, including war crimes committed against the Palestinian people. .’
Senator Lidia Thorpe spoke at the rally as the conference was held inside a building at the racecourse.