Wednesday, 28 May 2025

Southern Metropolitan Region

David DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan) (12:53): (1610) Last night at the Independence Day celebration for Israel’s birthday, its independence, which is held every year for MPs and community leaders, Premier Jacinta Allan I thought made insensitive and unfortunate comments. She should not, in my view, have made the comments she made attacking the Israeli government at such an occasion. This is a government that is anti Israel. Many members of this Labor government do not have the interests of Israel and the Jewish community in Victoria at heart. The government was slow to deal with on-campus issues. What I am asking, and this is for the attention of the Premier, is that she correct this statement and backtrack on the statement.

Enver Erdogan: I have a point of order, President. Mr Davis, if you are going to make an allegation against this government, I think there are many people in the chamber – we have got Mr Berger and Mr Batchelor right here – who are strong supporters of the Jewish community. To make a slur about the government and especially against individuals, including the Premier, should be done by way of a separate motion. This is just inappropriate.

David DAVIS: On the point of order, President, I was there. I heard what she said, and I am going to ask her to retract it. That is what I am about to do: will you step back from your statement?

The PRESIDENT: Mr Erdogan is correct. If you are going to make an accusation against a sitting member or members, it should be by way of substantive motion. I might just review what Mr Davis said. I am not too sure if you put it at the level of an accusation, but Mr Davis, you are talking about international affairs during a constituency question.

David DAVIS: My community has the largest Jewish community in Australia, in Southern Metro.

The PRESIDENT: If you had started with that –

David DAVIS: Yes, and I am about to say exactly that.

The PRESIDENT: Okay. Do it.

David DAVIS: On behalf of my community in Southern Metro, the largest Jewish community in Australia, I ask that the Premier retract these comments and step back from this anti-Israeli stance.

The PRESIDENT: The member’s time has expired. I will take up Mr Erdogan’s point of order at a later time. In general, this is a reminder to the whole house that if there is an accusation about a sitting member, it has to be done by way of a substantive motion.

Sitting suspended 12:55 pm until 2:03 pm.