News in Brief

'Despicable and dangerous': Labor MP's office targeted in 'politically motivated attack'

Small fires were lit and windows smashed and graffitied at Federal Labor MP Josh Burns' office.

A man talking outside

Federal Labor MP Josh Burns talking on Wednesday after his electorate office in Melbourne was vandalised. Source: AAP / Joel Carrett

Vandals have smashed windows and set fire to the front of federal Labor MP Josh Burns' Melbourne electoral office, in what he has called a "politically motivated attack".

The background: The member for Macnamara, who is Jewish, has been targeted in the past by vandals who defaced his election posters.

The key quotes: In a statement on X, formerly Twitter, Burns said his St Kilda office was damaged in a "politically motivated attack".
Red painted graffiti on an office window. There are two policewomen and police tape in the foreground
Victoria Police officers investigating the fire and criminal damage at Federal Labor MP Josh Burns' electoral office on Wednesday. Source: AAP / Joel Carrett
Former Liberal MP Josh Frydenberg said on X the attack was "despicable and dangerous" while independent MP Monique Ryan said it amounted to anti-semitism.

What else to know: At least five people were seen near the office on Barkly Street, St Kilda about 3.20am on Wednesday, police were told.

The group smashed windows and graffitied the walls in red paint with slogans that read: 'Zionism is fascism'.

What happens next: Police are investigating the circumstances and have shut down Barkly Street in both directions.

The attack is a distressing escalation that needs to be dialled back down, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.

"How people think that they advance their cause through activities like this is beyond me. It does nothing. It undermines the cause that people purport to represent."

Read more:

Share
Published 19 June 2024 1:50pm
Updated 19 June 2024 4:28pm
Source: AAP, SBS


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world