Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has renewed his call on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to recall Parliament to give the Australian Federal Police powers to arrest protesters promoting Hezbollah symbols.
Mr Dutton yesterday said it was unacceptable that the government had already failed to arrest people after some pro-Palestinian rally-goers displayed Hezbollah flags and symbols in Melbourne.
Mr Dutton told the Nines Today program this morning that he believed there was already a provision in the current law to allow AFP to make arrests, but if it was not there, the government should change the law as soon as possible. He said that.
Opposition leader Peter Dutton says Parliament should be recalled to strengthen laws allowing prosecution of those displaying terrorist symbols. Credit: The Age
“I think there is a provision in the current law. If not, the prime minister should recall Parliament and address whatever flaws there are in the law,” he said.
“I think this level of anti-Semitism that is accumulating in our country is very worrying. There are now armed guards in Jewish schools and People are especially concerned about their safety.”
Mr Dutton said Albanians would prove the government's “weakness” if they did not change the law.
“Why not show the strength of leadership that our country needs? That's something that's really important to us, and every one of[Albanese's]predecessors, including Julia Gillard and John Howard and Bob Hawke… I don't think anyone could have been this weak,” Dutton said.
“Glorifying someone who is the leader of a terrorist organization would be like people glorifying Adolf Hitler or Osama bin Laden. That is completely unacceptable.”
