Overview

• Speaking at a pro-Palestinian rally in Melbourne, independent senator Lidia Thorpe said she would “burn down Parliament House to make a point,” linking Palestinian and Indigenous struggles.
• Victoria Police estimated about 3,500 people attended the rally, and the line was met with cheers from the crowd.
• Opposition Senate leader Michaelia Cash called the remarks disgraceful and said options such as a censure motion or referral to the privileges committee are under consideration.
• Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek labeled the comment absolutely irresponsible and said the government would avoid amplifying it, with any formal response to be decided later.
• The protest and a separate Jewish community gathering in Caulfield unfolded as an expected ceasefire and hostage-prisoner exchange was reported to be imminent, with Israel slated to release nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the remaining hostages.