Interview with Kieran Gilbert on Sky News Afternoon Agenda

Kieran Gilbert: Let's go live to Liberal Senator Andrew Bragg, who, of course, is based in Sydney. Senator Bragg, the Jewish community, prevented from paying their respects and honouring the dead in Israel, as the Opera House was illuminated last night. You called it absolutely appalling. How do you see the way that this has been managed by the State Government? Should the protests have just simply been blocked in the first place?

Senator Andrew Bragg: Kieran, Australia is standing in solidarity with Israel against barbarism. And the illumination of our national landmarks is an opportunity for local community groups, Jewish groups in particular, to go and mark this very sad occasion. Now, the Sydney Jewish community was prevented from paying their respects at the Sydney Opera House last night, which is a huge failure by the State Government. There's no way that protest should ever have happened in front of the Opera House sails. That should have been preserved for the Jewish people and other community members to mark this dreadful and sad occasion.

Kieran Gilbert: The Greens backed the rally and in fact, one of your Senate colleagues, Senator : said on Twitter, "one colonial government supporting another. What a disgrace." That was in relation to the Federal Parliament being illuminated with the colours of the Israeli flag. What's your reaction to the Greens’ response to the national solidarity with Israel?

Senator Andrew Bragg: Well, this is Australia and Australians will not put up with people marching in the streets to support the deaths of civilians. And that's what the Greens in New South Wales are supporting. The Greens in New South Wales supported the protest yesterday, which was a protest to support the actions of Hamas, a terrorist organisation which has killed hundreds of innocent civilians. So, I think that there are serious legal questions though, to be asked, because there are provisions under the State and Commonwealth crimes laws which should be applied here.

Kieran Gilbert: Peter Dutton said it's remarkable the Prime Minister hasn't convened a National Security Committee of Cabinet yet to look at local implications. The Prime Minister, I spoke to him earlier, he says that Mr Dutton's received briefings himself, that he is receiving briefings every day on this matter by appropriate agencies. Is this a politicisation of Australia's response to the atrocities in Israel?

Senator Andrew Bragg: I don't think so. I think you have to understand that there are large community groups in Sydney and across Australia that are very unsettled by the behaviour that's been witnessed here in Sydney in particular. And the State of New South Wales has prohibited the incitement of violence against any particular group. And I think it's important that we hear from the State Premier, as to whether those provisions will be investigated by the State Police. And equally, we need to see what Canberra is going to do in relation to these matters.

Kieran Gilbert: Senator Bragg, thank you. Appreciate your time. We'll talk to you soon.

ENDS