Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called protesters who plan to target his next parliamentary office in Marrickville “self-indulgent” and “absurd”.
The PM was forced to close his electoral office in Sydney’s inner west over the weekend, which had become a target for protesters in recent years.
Despite the closure, some have vowed to continue protesting outside his next office.
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Speaking on Today this morning, the Albanese said it “shows how self-indulgent they are”.
“If they want to protest, go to Parliament House in Canberra, protest outside and engage in that,” he said.
“Otherwise it’s just self-indulgence and it says more about them than it does about the cause.”
The Prime Minister also clarified that he closed his electoral office out of concern for the safety of his staff.
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He also voiced concern for locals who regularly attended the Marrickville location for support with Medicare, NDIS and other concerns.
“Vulnerable people are the ones who need services in electorate offices,” Albanese said.
“This isn’t a political office. It’s not running Middle East policies. What it’s doing is helping people.
“Frankly, it’s up to [protesters] to argue how the cause they purport to support is advanced by disrupting Mr and Mrs Smith or Mr and Mrs Panopoulos asking for help on social security, or people with disabilities seeking support for their child.”
Albanese announced that the decision had been made not to renew the lease at the Marrickville location on Sunday.
His electoral office will be relocated to a new space in the Grayndler electorate in Marrickville.
“Sadly, over the past two years, aggressive protestors have repeatedly blocked access to the electorate office for people seeking assistance,” the Prime Minister said in a statement.
“This has also significantly impacted churchgoers attending the neighbouring St Clements Church, including disruption to funerals and other church services.”
No information has been released on where Albanese’s new electoral office will be located.
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