Parliament Wrap: The Good News Edition

In February this year the Sydney Morning Herald reported on a community forum in solidarity with Palestine that I spoke at in December 2023. During the forum I used language that had unintended antisemitic implications and caused some members of the community hurt. I subsequently issued an unreserved public apology. Following this media coverage, an individual made a complaint to the Australian Human Rights Commission. I am pleased we have now resolved the complaint through a conciliation process.  In addition to the unreserved public apology I made in February this year, I have also made a $2000 donation to the Sydney Jewish Museum and will visit the Museum in the coming weeks as a way of deepening my understanding of racism, antisemitism and genocide.  I have also chosen to donate $2000 to the Jewish Council of Australia - a diverse coalition of Jewish academics, lawyers, writers and teachers united in their opposition to Israel’s continued policies aimed at the destruction of Palestinian life.  I reaffirm my commitment to continual care and reflection in my ongoing work for human rights and advocacy for a free Palestine.

Together with Greens Councillor on City of Sydney Council, Sylvie Ellsmore, we have identified several major issues with the plans to rezone public housing at Explorer Street and Aurora Place in Eveleigh. In addition to strongly objecting to the central premise that the only way to build new social housing is by demolishing existing public homes, we are deeply concerned by the impact a rezoning would have on the community at Explorer Street, many of whom have lived there for nearly thirty years. We also have serious concerns about the lack of appropriate accommodation for residents who are relocated, the uncertainty around a right of return for residents wo are displaced, and the flawed community engagement process undertaken to date. Read the full joint submission here.