Pro-Palestine protestors force Anthony Albanese out of Grayndler electorate office in Marrickville

Anthony Albanese is abandoning his electoral office in Sydney’s inner west due to “aggressive protesters”.

His office in Marrickville has been in operation for more than 30 years – his entire parliamentary career.

Since Hamas’ October 7 attacks on Israel in 2023, the Prime Minister’s office has been targeted by pro-Palestine protesters accusing him of not doing enough to stop civilian suffering in Gaza.

Some have even claimed the Albanese Government is arming Israel.

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles has slammed the protests that forced Mr Albanese out of his Grayndler electorate office, describing them as a “complete disgrace” and calling on the Greens to “have a look at themselves.”

The Daily Telegraph reported that the Anglican Church, which owns the building housing the Marrickville electorate office, requested the Prime Minister vacate the premises after two years of near-constant pro-Palestine demonstrations outside.

“Look, I think it’s very sad,” Mr Marles told ABC RN.

“I think the kind of protests that we’ve seen outside of the Prime Minister’s electoral office over the last couple of years have been a complete disgrace.

“It does nothing to advance the arguments associated with any of these issues. It really, I think, ends up being much more about the protesters than the cause that they pretend to espouse.”

Leader of the Opposition, Sussan Ley, told the paper the campaign amounted to “political intimidation”.

When asked if he agreed, Mr Marles said: “I think there is an intimidatory degree to what’s been going on here.”

“But it is appalling behaviour that it has resulted in this moment, and I think it’s very sad.

“And those who have been responsible for these sorts of protests, and those who have been responsible for the kind of rhetoric which leads to these kinds of protests – and I think the Greens political party have a lot to answer for here, need to have a look at themselves.

“Because this is not about the issues that they pretend to espouse. The office in Grayndler, the Prime Minister’s office in Grayndler, being closed does nothing to support one single person in Gaza.

“What it does is deny the opportunity of the people of Grayndler to get basic services from their local member.”

“Sadly, over the past two years, aggressive protesters have repeatedly blocked access to the electorate office for people seeking assistance,” Mr Albanese said in a statement.

“This has also significantly impacted churchgoers attending the neighbouring St Clements Church, including disruption to funerals and other church services.

“I’m incredibly proud of the work electorate officers, past and present, have done in assisting my community from this location.

“The electorate will continue to be serviced by hardworking, dedicated electorate officers at locations in the community, online and via telephone during this time.”

He said a new office would be opened within the electorate once a site was made “fit for purpose”.