UPDATE: Former opposition leader Jeremy Hanson has been ruled out of order for calling the ACT Greens “anti-Semitic” during a heated debate in the Legislative Assembly. The ruling was made by Speaker Mark Parton after Hanson’s inflammatory comments sparked significant controversy.
In a session on Wednesday morning, Hanson condemned a petition sponsored by Greens member Andrew Braddock, which had garnered over 1,300 signatures. The petition calls for the ACT government to divest from companies linked to human rights violations in Israel. While speaking against the petition, Hanson stated, “I stand with Israel. I stand with the Jewish people. I stand with our Canberra Jewish community. I condemn the Hamas terrorists. I condemn those who support Hamas and its atrocities and I condemn the anti-Semitic Greens.”
This statement drew immediate backlash. Greens leader Shane Rattenbury described Hanson’s remarks as “performative and unfortunate,” arguing that opposing genocide does not equate to anti-Semitism. “It is not anti-Semitic to call for the end of a genocide,” Rattenbury asserted, highlighting the voices of Jews in Canberra who oppose violence against Palestinians.
In response to the uproar, Speaker Parton deliberated over the issue, referencing previous parliamentary precedents. “I have looked at precedents in our chamber…I rule that the words used were offensive and disorderly,” Parton announced, insisting that Hanson withdraw his comments about the Greens.
Braddock emphasized the importance of the petition, stating, “The ACT could and must uphold its commitment to human rights and international law.” He called for annual reporting on compliance and an independent inquiry into the government’s investments, particularly those flagged by the United Nations as complicit in human rights violations.
The petition not only seeks immediate divestment but also legislation to ban the procurement of goods from Israeli settlements. Braddock highlighted the urgency, saying, “The difficulty of doing so does not make that obligation disappear.”
This controversy adds to the ongoing discussions within the ACT government regarding human rights and international law compliance. In February 2024, Labor and the Greens united in the Assembly to review investments linked to companies involved in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, reinforcing the significance of this issue for Canberra’s political landscape.
As the Assembly moves forward, the implications of Hanson’s remarks and the petition will be closely monitored. What happens next will be critical as both sides prepare for further debates on the matter.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
