Addressing hundreds of Labor Party faithful, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made a direct criticism of pro-Palestinian protesters who gathered outside Sydney Town Hall, where the New South Wales branch’s annual conference was being held.
From 10 a.m., dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters, including a man covered in fake blood, gathered on George St., holding flags and banners and chanting: “Albanians, blood on your hands.”
A large police contingent patrolled the central venue, and organizers also implemented heightened security measures that required attendees to undergo bag checks and be screened by security personnel upon arrival.
The two-day event is also expected to be rocked by delegates calling for more action and a tougher stance from the party on Palestinian statehood.
Members are also likely to clash over motions involving protest laws, child bail laws, drug legalisation and pill testing services.
However, Mr Albanese said the Labour movement was one that chose “progress over protest”.
“We choose action and delivery over empty words, and our members choose to help vulnerable people inside elected offices, not intimidate them outside,” he said, directly criticising the months-long protests that have resulted in the closure of his inner-west constituency office since January.
Probably referring to Labor’s recent loss of prestige following the defection of West Australian Senator Fatima Payman to the independent backbench, Albanese also stressed party rules that say members must vote in unity.
Addressing hundreds of Labor Party faithful, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made a direct criticism of pro-Palestinian protesters who gathered outside Sydney Town Hall on Saturday (pictured, the Prime Minister with his partner Jodie Haydon)
“Labor in this room always puts the Australian people first and that’s because in the end, when we’ve had our say and made a decision, we move forward together as one, knowing that we’re part of something bigger than any of us as individuals,” he said.
Moments earlier, the Prime Minister and his fiancée Jodie Haydon entered the packed venue to rapturous applause and a soundtrack that played like an instrumental version of The Killer’s Mr Brightside.
Addressing some 800 delegates including state and federal MPs, trade unionists and Labor stalwarts, Mr Albanese touted his federal government’s 66 urgent care clinics, new bulk billing incentives and Labor’s “same work, same pay” workplace policy.
From 10 a.m., dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters, including a man covered in fake blood, gathered on George St., holding flags and signs and chanting: “Albanians, blood on your hands.”
A large police contingent patrolled the central venue, and organizers also implemented heightened security measures that required attendees to undergo bag checks and be screened with an electronic device by security officers upon arrival.
A Free Palestine protester holds the flag during the conference. New South Wales Labour Conference held at Sydney Town Hall
Unreliable bosses were warned and the Prime Minister announced that government lawyers would be hired to “back up workers”.
“Our principle is simple and our position is clear: same work, same pay,” he said.
Another $350 million in federal funding has also been committed to the Thriving Suburbs program, which Mr Albanese announced would be open to all Australian suburbs from today.
Opposition leader Peter Dutton also came under fire for his role as Health Minister under Abbott, with Albanese joking: “Peter Dutton was so bad at his job that Tony Abbott sacked him.”
Mr Albanese also highlighted the debate over nuclear versus renewable energy as a major point of contention ahead of the yet-to-be-announced election due to be held in early 2025.
He echoed Labor’s lines, criticising Dutton’s plan to build seven nuclear reactors by 2050 for being under-budgeted and lacking key details such as where the reactors will be located and how they plan to deal with nuclear waste.
However, Mr Albanese insisted Australia had “no time to waste”.
“The one asset we don’t have is time and that’s why the next election is far more important than the next three years. It’s about the next generation of Australian jobs and we have a unique opportunity to secure a new era of growth and equity.”
Mr Albanese also paid tribute to his former left-wing Labor ally and outgoing Indigenous minister Linda Burney, who recently announced she would not be standing again in the next election for her Barton town centre seat.
“Linda’s approach has been defined by respect, listening and cooperation. Doing things with communities, not for them,” she said.
He said he attributed consultation between Ms Burney, Federal Water Minister Tanya Plibersek and the Mirrar Indigenous people to the government’s recent announcement to add Jabiluka to Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territory, which will prevent it from ever operating as a uranium mine.
It was previously leased by Australian Energy Resources.
The two-day event is also expected to be rocked by delegates calling for more action and a tougher stance from the party on Palestinian statehood.