‘Scumbag’ slammed as War Memorial defaced
The Coalition has slammed the “scumbag behaviour” of a man who allegedly sprayed pro-Palestine graffiti at the Australian War Memorial.
Police allege the man graffitied three areas at the popular Canberra monument about 1am on Friday with pro-Palestine slogans.
The man is depicted in CCTV wearing a black jumper, black face covering and khaki pants with dark knee patches at the time.
Coalition assistant defence spokesman Phil Thompson later called for the man to be found and prosecuted.
“The scumbag who desecrated our most sacred sight should have the full weight of the law thrown at them,” Mr Thompson said.
“The freedoms we enjoy are on the back of hard fought battles, wars and sacrifice of our brave men and women in uniform and their families.
“It’s a kick in the guts too all those who served, the families who’s loved ones names are engraved on walls of the war memorial.
“This is criminal behaviour, this is scumbag behaviour, I look forward to seeing the police arresting those involved.”
Acting Inspector Lisa Broomhall said criminal damage at a national institution would not be tolerated.
“Police are very disappointed this morning to see a national institution which holds a special significance to many being vandalised,” she said.
“We would like to remind the community that while peaceful protest is part of healthy democracy, criminal acts will not be tolerated.
“Police will be investigating this matter thoroughly in an effort to ensure those involved are brought before the courts.”
Monuments to Australia’s wartime endeavours and colonial-era figures have been the subject of pro-Palestine action since the war in Gaza began.
Earlier this week, police were called to the King George V statue in Melbourne after it was beheaded and covered in red paint.
Canberra’s Vietnam War memorial was also earlier sprayed in red paint, with pro-Palestine messages such as “All eyes on Rafah”.
