Labor MP accuses new Greens leader of bias toward Jewish Australians

Labor representative Josh Burns alleged that newly elected Greens leader David Shoebridge is prejudiced against Jewish Australians, suggesting he splits the community into "good" and "bad" groups depending on their position on the Gaza war. Shoebridge defended the Greens, noting strong connections with a broad segment of the Australian Jewish community and promising to continue supporting their concerns. Burns, who speaks for parts of Melbourne’s Jewish population, called Shoebridge’s answer "shocking" and said it failed to promote unity.

The criticism coincided with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s remarks that Shoebridge’s hard-line stance could alienate Greens voters and his suggestion that the Greens aim to replace Labor rather than curb a far-right surge. Shoebridge, a former NSW senator and self-described radical socialist, has previously drawn scrutiny for attending a Chinese embassy event and for his links to fringe pro-Palestine activists.