Green Senator Sarah Hanson-Young interrupted a press conference to demand nationalist leader David Littleproud “say something about the children being slaughtered” amid rising tensions over the Gaza conflict with Israel.
Senator Hanson-Young fired off the fiery line as she walked past Mr Littleproud in the hallway as he answered questions from reporters on Thursday.
“Why don’t you say something about the children being slaughtered?” he asked as the bewildered national leader quickly resumed his questions.
The disruption came after opposition leader Peter Dutton called for a blanket ban on arrivals from Gaza, in a move condemned by Labor and the Greens.
Mr Dutton appeared to disagree with the 79 Coalition MPs who called for visas to be denied to Hamas supporters, rather than all Gazans.
Ms Hanson-Young accused Mr Dutton of leading the “nasty party”.
“It’s Trumpian, it’s despicable and it needs to be denounced,” he told reporters.
Mr Dutton told Sky News on Wednesday there was uncertainty about Gaza refugees and their allegiance to the Palestinian terror group Hamas.
Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young (centre) interrupted a press conference held by Nationals leader David Littleproud (right) on Thursday.
“Why don’t you say something about the children who are being killed?” she asked Mr Littleproud.
“I don’t think people should be coming from that war zone right now. It’s not wise to do so and I think it puts our national security at risk,” he said.
Her call to ban Palestinians from seeking safety in Australia was branded “racist” by Teal Party MP Zali Steggall on the House floor on Thursday.
“These are families that you are trying to present… as if somehow they were all terrorists, as if they were all infidels, as if they were not worthy of humanitarian aid,” he said.
‘Stop being racist.’
Mr Dutton said the comment was “unparliamentary” and asked for it to be withdrawn, but Ms Steggall eventually agreed to the Speaker’s request.
The opposition leader later defended his comments, telling Today Show host Karl Stefanovic he was trying to protect Australians.
Stefanovic asked: “Are you a ruthless racist? Do you have any humanity left?”
Mr Dutton replied: “I think it’s enough to put aside all the usual political nonsense.
‘We have to make decisions, and they may be difficult decisions, but decisions that benefit our country.
Her call to ban Palestinians from seeking safety in Australia was branded “racist” by Teal Party MP Zali Steggall on the House floor on Thursday (pictured)
Opposition leader Peter Dutton (pictured Thursday) called for a blanket ban on arrivals from Gaza, in a move condemned by Labor and the Greens.
“What’s happened here, Karl, is that the government has brought people in from war zones; in some cases, they haven’t even done face-to-face interviews, and that’s unprecedented.”
Dutton accused Labor of putting Australians at risk and compared the move to allowing in al-Qaeda and ISIS sympathisers.
Asked whether he had discussed his position with colleagues beforehand, Mr Dutton said: “To be honest, it’s not a discussion for the Shadow Cabinet, it’s a discussion with the national security team.
“It’s the best for our country.”
ASIO Director Mike Burgess and Home Office officials have repeatedly said that adequate security checks were carried out on visa applicants.
The Australian government has called for a ceasefire plan as the death toll mounts and the humanitarian situation worsens.