Greens MP threatens defamation suit over Nationals MP’s antisemitism accusations
Greens MP Sophie McNeill has served a concerns notice on Nationals MP Lachlan Hunter, demanding he retract antisemitic remarks and apologise, signalling a potential defamation case.
A display listing over 18,000 Gaza-civilian child deaths in the Western Australian Parliament courtyard prompted criticism from Nationals MP Lachlan Hunter, who labeled the exhibit and comments by Greens MP Sophie McNeill as antisemitic. In retaliation, McNeill served Hunter with a concerns notice, demanding a public retraction, removal of his social-media statements and an apology, initiating a defamation process. Hunter declined to comment on the notice after previously describing the event as a “horrific slur.”
The artwork was backed by the Parliamentary Friends of Palestine, co-convened by McNeill and Labor MP Dave Kelly. Organizations such as Perth Doctors Medical Aid for Palestine defended the display, while the Australian Jewish Association supported Hunter’s stance. The dispute reflects broader tensions over the Gaza conflict and accusations of antisemitism in Australian politics.
Why it matters
It highlights how heated debates over the Gaza conflict are spilling into legal battles and parliamentary conduct in Australia.
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