Dutton calls for Hezbollah supporters to face 'full force of the law' after flags waved at rallies
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton says Australia will not accept the glorification of terrorist organisations, as police probe possible crimes related to the presence of Hezbollah flags at pro-Palestine rallies in Sydney and Melbourne on the weekend.
The Australian Federal Police confirmed it would investigate after Victoria Police said six "prohibited flags" representing Hezbollah were seen being carried by a small group, who were not affiliated with organisers of the 600-person demonstration.
NSW Police later confirmed officers seized "two flags displaying a terrorist organisation symbol" from Sunday's rally in the Sydney CBD and said it was investigating "a number of further instances of a terrorist symbol being displayed".
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Opposition leader Peter Dutton has said Australia won't accept the glorification of terrorist organisations. 9News
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke called on Victorian and NSW authorities to check the visa status of any protesters alleged to have glorified Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed by an Israeli air strike on Friday.
Dutton said as an "inclusive and respectful" society, Australia would not accept "people who are out there glorifying a terrorist organisation".
"Hezbollah is a listed terrorist organisation in our country," he told reporters today.
"They're responsible for the deaths of thousands of people."
Australia - like the US, UK, Canada, Japan and other allies - lists Hezbollah as a terrorist organisation.
The marches were among several organised across the country as part of a day of action for Gaza, as Israel's offensive on the strip creeps into Lebanon.
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Protesters carry the yellow flag of Hezbollah and images of the militant group's late leader Hassan Nasrallah at a rally in Melbourne on the weekend. AAP/James Ross
Pictures of Hezbollah's influential late leader Nasrallah were seen being carried by some attendees.
Dutton said Australia won't tolerate "the presence of sympathisers for terrorist organisations in our community".
"People who are here on visas or people who have the ability to have their citizenship stripped should be subject to the full force of the law," he said.
"(We need to) send a very clear message to people that we are tolerant society but we're not going to accept the glorification of somebody who has left a terrorist organisation."
Dutton also said Labor should have been more prepared for the protests over the weekend.
"This is an issue for the government," he said.
"It was entirely predictable that these protests were going to take place."
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