Bloodied and fake corpses were strategically placed outside the offices of multiple Victorian Labor MPs, a protest orchestrated by the group No More Bodies in Gaza to express dissatisfaction with the perceived government support for Israel. The targeted senior federal ministers, including Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles, Immigration Minister Andrew Giles, and NDIS Minister Bill Shorten, were confronted with bloodied body bags of various sizes and signs advocating for a "Free Palestine" and an "End the Occupation."
The activists specifically criticized the alleged silence of many Labor ministers during the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, which began with an unprovoked attack by Hamas on October 7. The group emphasized that Palestinian suffering extends well beyond the recent conflict, tracing back to 1948. In a statement, they declared solidarity with the Palestinian people's right to sovereignty and freedom, urging an end to the violent occupation of their homeland.
The protest also involved presenting demands to the government, calling for an immediate ceasefire, cessation of arms supply to Israel, and discontinuation of diplomatic and economic support for Israel. Nasser Mashni, president of the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network, supported the legitimacy of the protest, challenging representatives to take concrete action. On the other hand, Dvir Abramovich, chairman of the Anti-Defamation Commission, condemned the demonstration as "disgusting shock tactics" reminiscent of the Hamas playbook. He expressed concerns about escalating tensions and rising anti-Semitism.
The protest unfolded amid broader criticism directed at the Albanese government for its handling of anti-Semitism within the Australian community. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton accused Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of weak leadership amid internal divisions within the Labor Party. Foreign Minister Penny Wong's call for a balanced ceasefire attracted attention, with Albanese asserting that it aligned with a bipartisan motion from October condemning Hamas and recognizing Israel's right to defend itself.