Greens MP launches defamation action against Nationals rival over Gaza artwork comments

A legal battle is brewing in Western Australia's parliament, with Greens MP Sophie McNeill taking the first step toward suing Nationals MP Lachlan Hunter.

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We feel like a line needs to be drawn.

The dispute centers on an artwork displayed in the parliament's courtyard last week, which featured the names of over 18,000 children killed in Gaza since October 2023. The exhibition was supported by the Parliamentary Friends of Palestine group, co-convened by McNeill.

Nationals MP Lachlan Hunter took issue with the event and McNeill's characterization of the deaths as a "genocide." A UN commission of inquiry has concluded that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, a finding Israel denies, calling the report "distorted and false."

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It is not acceptable to make a horrific slur like that against someone, it's incredibly offensive, deeply hurtful and it causes me serious reputational harm.

Following a suspension from parliament, Hunter told the media that McNeill's comment was a turning point, making the event "antisemitic." He further claimed that the organizers and the Greens have previously expressed antisemitic views. McNeill has issued Hunter a 'concerns notice,' demanding a retraction, deletion of social media posts, and an apology, calling his comments a "horrific slur."

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We want to stop these kinds of intimidatory and bullying tactics against people who are speaking the truth about this conflict and about Gaza and about this genocide.

Perth Doctors Medical Aid for Palestine, an organizer, stated they oppose all forms of racism and religious discrimination, asserting that advocating for Palestinian children is not antisemitic. The Australian Jewish Association publicly supported Hunter.

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Antisemitism … actually occurred in the courtyard of the parliament.