The Greens and Sophie Scamps sit out of Question Time

The Socialist Bulletin Staff - 11/2/2026

THE Greens and Teal MP Sophie Scamps have made the principled decision to sit out of Question Time today, in protest of the visit by President Isaac Herzog of the genocidal 'State' of Israel.

Herzog's visit was met by huge protest in Sydney two days ago, and today he has come to Canberra, on board the Prime Minister's RAAF luxury plane, with anti-genocide protest following him to that city, too.

Hundreds have taken to the streets in Canberra today to make it known that Canberra does not welcome war criminals or people that sign rockets used to murder children.

In Parliament House, whose entrance is adorned with Israeli flags for the occasion, some MPs have taken a principled stand.

The Greens' Elizabeth Watson-Brown, who has been extremely vocal in her support for the Palestinian cause, has decided to sit out of Question Time today in protest, and has been joined by Teal Sophie Scamps, who has been far less vocal, due to her far more affluent voter base.

Ms Watson-Brown said in a statement that 'the world is watching', while Ms Scamps stated that '[right now,] the government of Israel is moving to extend the illegal occupation of the West Bank, thus undermining the hope for a two-state solution, which has long been Australia's bilateral position.'

In Canberra, ACT Police have acted with far less barbarity than New South Wales Police, and, as expected, the protests have been largely peaceful - demonstrating that NSW Police are the offending side in these 'clashes'.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has repeatedly asked the public to 'turn the temperature down' on this conversation, despite he himself 'turning the temperature up', by inviting a divisive, genocidal figure that sits at the head of one of the worst governments of our day. Jewish Council of Australia petitions have shown that Jews overwhelmingly do not want him here, and overwhelmingly do not want a genocide committed in their name.