Opposition Deputy Leader Condemns Weekend Rallies 'Hijacked by Neo-Nazis,' Demands PM Leadership
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Deputy Opposition Leader Sussan Ley condemned weekend rallies across Australia that she said were "hijacked by neo-Nazis spouting hate, racism and resorting to politically motivated violence," while calling on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to provide stronger leadership on social cohesion.
In a statement posted on social media, Ley described Australia's social fabric as being "steadily eroded by extremism" and linked the weekend events to broader tensions following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.
"This past weekend rallies occurred across Australia, attended by people of goodwill, but hijacked by neo-Nazis spouting hate, racism and resorting to politically motivated violence," Ley said. "That can never be accepted."
The Liberal Party deputy leader characterized the rallies as part of a pattern of extremist activity that has placed "new pressures" on Australia's social cohesion since the Middle East conflict escalated.
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"Extremism has no place in Australia," Ley said. "We must never import the bitterness of overseas conflicts into our communities."
Ley's statement represents the most senior Coalition response to the weekend demonstrations, which previous reports indicated included anti-immigration messaging and attracted far-right participants.
The deputy leader framed her criticism within Australia's multicultural identity, emphasizing the nation's migrant heritage.
"Australia's way of life is built on respect, on community, and on the belief that every person deserves to feel safe, valued, and at home here," Ley said. "We are a migrant nation. Our strength has been forged by generations of people who chose this country, worked hard, and came together around the values of fairness, tolerance, respect, and reward for effort."
However, she warned that this foundation was under threat from multiple sources of division.
"That strength is now being tested," Ley said. "Since Hamas' barbarism on 7 October 2023, new pressures have been placed on our social cohesion, and there have been multiple failures of government to keep our community safe and to keep it together."
The statement detailed what Ley described as a series of concerning incidents affecting Australia's Jewish community and public spaces.
"Synagogues have been firebombed with our Jewish community under siege," she said. "Week after week, protests have taken place across our cities."
Ley specifically criticized the use of Sydney landmarks for political demonstrations she characterized as divisive.
"We have seen cherished landmarks like the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House turned into backdrops for division, with people supporting terrorist organisations and holding up images of the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei the leader of the Iranian regime who has sponsored global terror and on Australian soil, and supports Hezbollah, Hamas, and Islamic Jihad," she said.
The deputy leader acknowledged that legitimate protesters participated in recent demonstrations but said their voices were overshadowed by extremist elements.
"People of goodwill have been present at recent demonstrations, but their voices were hijacked by those seeking to glorify terrorism," Ley said. "That can never be accepted."
She drew parallels between left-wing and right-wing extremism in her condemnation of the weekend rallies, applying the same "hijacked" characterization to both types of events.
Ley directed her strongest criticism toward the federal government's response to growing social tensions, arguing that leadership failures have contributed to community divisions.
"This is a moment that demands leadership," she said. "Our society is resilient, but its fabric is being steadily eroded by extremism."
The statement positioned the Coalition as ready to work constructively on addressing social cohesion challenges while placing responsibility for immediate action on the Prime Minister.
"Australians expect their leaders to rise to the challenge, to call out hate in all its forms, and to bring the country together," Ley said. "The Prime Minister must show that leadership now."
She offered bipartisan cooperation on addressing the underlying issues while maintaining pressure on the government to act.
"The Coalition stands ready to work with the government to repair our social cohesion, to strengthen what binds us, and to ensure that every Australian, no matter their background or faith, can feel safe, respected, and proud of the country we share," Ley said.
The statement emphasized unity as Australia's fundamental strength while warning against complacency in maintaining social harmony.
"What unites us as Australians will always be stronger than those who seek to divide us," Ley said. "But we cannot take that unity for granted."
Ley's intervention comes as political leaders across the spectrum have faced pressure to respond to various forms of extremism and social division that have emerged since the October 7 attacks and subsequent conflict in Gaza.
The deputy leader's statement represents an attempt to position the Coalition as a voice for mainstream Australian values while criticizing the government's handling of community tensions.
Her comments linking various incidents over more than a year suggest the Opposition views social cohesion as a sustained political issue rather than isolated events requiring individual responses.
The statement's emphasis on Australia's migrant heritage and multicultural values appears designed to counter any perception that the Coalition's criticism of the government might align with anti-immigration sentiment expressed at the weekend rallies.
Ley's call for the Prime Minister to "show leadership now" indicates the Opposition intends to maintain pressure on the government's handling of community relations and public safety concerns related to both domestic and international conflicts.
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