Liberal MP Ro Knox hits back at Teal MP Allegra Spender’s legal threats after Bibas family poster accusations
A Liberal MP says she “won’t be intimidated” after a Teal MP threatened legal action against her for making a “disgraceful accusation” about her campaign signs.
On Thursday, Liberal Wentworth candidate Ro Knox claimed Teal MP Allegra Spender’s team had intentionally covered a poster of the Bibas family with a campaign sign, labelling the alleged move “disrespectful and disappointing”.
Following the accusation, Ms Spender threatened legal action, saying the claims were “completely false”.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“My poster was put up previously, clear of anything else,” the MP said in a statement on Instagram, making a point to mention the volunteer who put up the poster is a Jewish Australian.
“The Bibas family poster was inserted later. There is time-stamped photo evidence and a statutory declaration from the volunteer to confirm this.”
The Bibas family were kidnapped from their kibbutz home in Israel by terror group Hamas during the October 7 massacre. Mother Shiri and her children Ariel and Kfir were brutally killed in the horror ordeal, with their story becoming a symbol of pleas to return hostages or their remains home.
Wentworth has one of the largest Jewish Australian communities of any seat in the country, with the posters a sign of support.
Ms Spender said she was “disgusted to see the Liberal Party candidate try to exploit the tragedy of the Bibas family for political gain” and called for Ms Knox to apologise.
“The tragic conflict overseas and suffering of communities should not be exploited for political gain,” she said.
However, on Friday Ms Knox hit back at Ms Spender’s threats, saying there is “clear proof that a poster commemorating the Bibas family was securely fastened to a fence and was later covered by a Teal party poster promoting Allegra Sender”.
“Ms Spender and her Teal party may not fully appreciate the significance of the Bibas family but many people in the Wentworth community do,” she said in a statement on Instagram.
She added she was “very disappointed” Ms Spender would “threaten heavy handed legal action” rather than apologise for her team’s wrongdoing.
“Your team should do the right things and apologise to the community and let’s move on,” Ms Knox said.
