The New South Wales roads minister, John Graham, says the state government will not intervene to prevent pro-Palestinian road convoys in response to calls for a ban from federal Liberal backbencher Julian Leeser.
In a letter to the Minns government, Leeser, who is Jewish, said he was concerned about the emergence of vehicle protests in recent weeks.
Leeser, who represents the electorate of Berowra in Sydney’s north, wrote that the convoys aimed to “create fear in suburbs with large Jewish populations” and he believed it was beholden on the government to ban them.
“The purpose of these convoys is only to create a climate of fear and inflame ethnic, religious and political tensions,” the letter said.
Speaking to media on Saturday, Graham said while Leeser was an “outstanding MP” whose suggestions he took seriously, the government’s focus was on community safety.
“The specific proposal would see us really intervene legally with people driving across the city,” he said.
“That’s not the way the government intends to deal with this at this time.”
Graham said rather than restricting movement across the city, the government was focused on the enforcement of anti-vilification and hate speech provisions in NSW law.
“We are focused on community safety,” he said. “Having said that, I am concerned about these convoys, I can’t see how they’re improving … an already tense situation.
“They’ll be closely monitored, particularly for instances of hate speech. That just has no place in Sydney or NSW.”
Amal Naser, an organiser at Palestine Action Group, said “we support the minister’s sensible approach to this matter”.
“We affirm that we have a legal right to protest, to peacefully protest, in Australia, and this right should not be eroded,” she said. “Over the past five weeks we have seen our movement bring together a diverse range of communities who all call for a ceasefire.
“From jetskis at Port Botany to healthcare workers having actions at our hospitals, our movement is inspiring people-led action for human rights across Australia.”
