A Brisbane councillor has been directed to publicly apologise and reimburse the Brisbane City Council over a pamphlet related to the Israel-Palestine conflict deemed to be “propaganda.” An independent review led by FairFact Consulting Services concluded that the newsletter, distributed by Trina Massey, breached several behavioural standards. This decision has ignited a heated exchange between Massey and Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner.
Massey’s spring newsletter, sent to thousands in her Gabba ward in August 2023, included a two-page spread titled “Khalil’s Story.” The article aimed to provide a historical overview of the Middle East but faced backlash for its perceived inflammatory and partisan tone. Critics pointed out that the timeline presented in the article began with Ottoman rule in the Middle Ages and notably omitted significant events such as the Holocaust and the October 7 attacks, suggesting that Jewish people are not indigenous to Israel.
One resident interviewed by investigators expressed strong feelings about the pamphlet, stating, “The first emotion was anger… it’s pure hate speech.” The review indicated that the content could make members of the Jewish community feel “unsafe, victimised, and targeted.” While the report labelled the article as propaganda, it did not classify it as antisemitic.
In a unanimous decision on October 16, 2023, the Brisbane Council’s ethics committee, composed of both Labor and LNP councillors, endorsed the review’s recommendations. Massey has been instructed to issue a public apology in her next ward newsletter and on social media, repay half of the $20,000 spent on publication, and undergo training and counselling related to the code of conduct.
Massey has maintained her stance on the article, asserting that her critique was directed at “Zionism” and the state of Israel, not at Jewish people. In a statement shared on social media, she claimed, “Some of the information included in my newsletter may be uncomfortable to read, but this is the nature of truth telling.” Notably, the article was not written by Massey herself; she paid academic and rapper Dr Jamal Nabulsi $2,800 for the contribution.
Schrinner condemned Massey’s actions, stating, “She used Hamas talking points.” He highlighted the need for responsible language, referencing warnings from agencies such as ASIO about the potential for hate speech to escalate tensions. “Not only is this material offensive to our Jewish community… I am genuinely sickened,” he added.
In a statement issued through her party, Massey denounced the Lord Mayor’s comments as defamatory and unsubstantiated. She expressed that it was disgraceful for a politician to exploit national grief to silence advocacy for peace. “My constituents advocate for peace, and will continue to do so,” she said.
The president of the Queensland Jewish Board of Deputies, Jason Steinberg, voiced concerns about the impact of Massey’s pamphlet, indicating that some community members no longer felt safe in areas like West End. He joined Schrinner in condemning the content, reinforcing the need for community cohesion.
Massey has publicly condemned Hamas and the October 7 attacks, emphasising that antisemitism has no place in the community. Following a recent violent incident in Bondi, she acknowledged the right of Jewish people to safety, stating, “This abhorrent attack is an attack on all of us.”
The controversy surrounding Massey’s newsletter has raised questions about the responsibility of elected officials in addressing sensitive issues, particularly those related to international conflicts. The outcomes of this case may set a precedent for future communications from local councils on contentious topics.
