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Protesters angry with the Australian government for not sanctioning Israel for its deadly strikes in Gaza and Lebanon have repeatedly disrupted a speech by Foreign Minister Penny Wong at the University of Tasmania on Tuesday night.
The minister was giving an address about international relations and policy making – which included reflections on the dangers aid workers faced in Gaza, as well as her hope for a two-state solution – when interruptions caused her to repeatedly stop her speech and leave the stage as audience members yelled at her.
During the approximately 45-minute-long speech, more than 10 interjections were made, with calls for the government to sanction Israel, plus criticism of the government's previous decision to pause funding to aid agency UNRWA.
Senator Wong initially responded by saying she had heard the concern.
"I'd say to you, we are a democracy and everyone's voice matters and I understand this is a very distressing [sic], but I don't actually believe, and I have never believed, that we gain anything by shouting each other down," she said.
As the interjections continued, and an official from the university tried to bring the audience to order, Senator Wong appeared frustrated as she made multiple attempts to return to the stage and continue her speech.
"Part of what I'm doing in this speech, to anybody else who wishes to speak but not listen, is actually try to lay out some of what we are doing in relation to what is happening in Gaza and what we are doing in relation to Lebanon," she said.
Pro-Palestinian supporters called for greater action from the federal government in Lebanon and Gaza, similarly to a protest held at the South Australian parliament last year (pictured). (ABC News: Ethan Rix)
"So, it's disappointing that people don't actually want to hear some of the facts about what the government is seeking to do in this situation."
Despite interjectors being told to leave the venue, the remarks continued, with audience members expressing concern for loved ones in Lebanon.
"Our friends and family are in a total state of utter fear," one audience member called out.
"Please listen to the people who give you the power to do your job – that's what you are, you are our representative," one person could be heard saying.
"Do you want to hear what I have to say? Or do you want to just shout at me?" Senator Wong responded.
Outside the event in Hobart, dozens of protesters also gathered, chanting and holding signs criticising Senator Wong and the Australian government.
The protest follows repeated anger from the community towards government figures over Australia's response to the war in Gaza, including vandalism of electorate offices, such as Labor MP Peter Khalil, whose Melbourne office was sprayed with red paint and doused in an unknown substance in recent days.
The ABC contacted the University of Tasmania and Minister Wong's office, but neither provided comment.