[ad_1]
Federal MP Josh Burns described a vandal attack on his Melbourne constituency office as “ugly and reckless”, while the Prime Minister also called the incident “serious”.
The McNamara MP’s office on Barclay Street in St Kilda was badly damaged after a group of six smashed windows and painted walls with anti-Semitic slogans at around 3.20am.
Police confirmed the group also started two small fires: one near the entrance to the office and another outside the door to the street where the residential apartments are located.
”Zionism is fascism” was spray-painted on the front of the office.
Burns introduced the media today to condemn the “politically motivated attack”.
“It was reckless vandalism against my office,” he said.
“It was obviously politically motivated by the graffiti on the outside of the office. It was ugly behavior and it was dangerous.
“I’m nervous that someone might get hurt or worse.”
The deputy said his team would not be in the office until he was told it was safe to be there.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the incident represented an escalation of “political violence”.
“I condemn the attack on the electorate of Josh Burns,” Albanese said on social media.
“Those responsible must face the full rigor of the law.”
“This is a serious attack.
“The targeting of a Jewish MP is very worrying. There is no place for political violence in Australia.”
Anti-Defamation Commission chairman Dr Dvir Abramovic said the act of vandalism was “concerning”.
“I am deeply concerned because where vandalism starts, tragedy can follow and it is time to sound the alarm,” Abramovich said.
“We stand firmly behind Josh Burns at this difficult time.
“We trust that those who perpetrated this outrage have been identified and brought to justice.” We are all sick of this threat.
Footage obtained by 3AW shows the moment the group set multiple fires outside the building before the offenders fled the scene.
The vandalism comes just months after the federal member of McNamara’s office was attacked for the first time.
Police are investigating the fire and vandalism and have established a crime scene.
[ad_2]
