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, the 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. So what I am asking, and this is for the attention of the Premier, is that she correct this statement and actually 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, you should do so by way of a separate motion, but 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 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: Yes, and 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 a substantive motion.

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