Supporters of the Sumud flotilla gathered outside the office of the federal Member for Moreton, on Quandamooka land, on Thursday morning demanding action over the detention of Aboriginal activist Sam Watson by Israeli forces during a humanitarian mission to Gaza. Sam’s tribal affiliation stretched far and wide and include:
- Wangerriburra
- Birri Gubba / Birrigubba
- Mununjali
- Yuggera
- Kalkadoon
- Noonuccal
Fourteen people attended the office of Labor MP Julianne Campbell, including Sam’s mother Chantal, family supporters, a six-month-old baby, and a four-year-old child.
The group arrived at approximately 10 am after weeks of unanswered phone calls, emails, and messages to the office of the new member for Moreton.
Julianne Campbell replaced former Labor MP Graham Perrett, who has published several pornographic novels. Critics of Perrett often described him as hostile towards Palestinian supporters, but people attending the office said that, unlike Campbell, he would at least come outside and speak directly with constituents.
At a Labor “true believers” dinner in July 2024 at the Greek Club in Brisbane attended by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Graham Perrett said to Palestinian supporters: “Do you go home and jerk off to pics of dead children.”
Peett directed the remark at a young woman, showing contempt for people expressing concern over images of Israel’s genocide in Gaza being viewed on their phones. By August, the Labor Party was in damaged control. Perrett had resigned and factional heads believed his political use-by date had expired. Notwithstanding this outrageous behaviour by Perrett and others at the dinner, Labor Party apparatchiks repeatedly made unfounded allegations against Justice for Palestine Magan-djin, which had organised the protest.
Some supporters of Palestine have questioned Campbell’s Labor credentials because of her previous association with the corporate consulting firm Ernst & Young, which has advised major weapons companies. Ms Campbell, allied with sections of the metalworkers’ union, has supported weapons manufacturing in Australia as a means of economic recovery.
Chantal told attending police officers that Israeli forces intercepted the flotilla carrying humanitarian aid bound for Gaza while her son travelled aboard one of the small yachts taking part in the mission.
The family said they have not heard directly from Sam since a mayday call from the flotilla earlier in the week.
Police officers told the group that staff would not arrange a meeting without an appointment. Supporters responded that they had already spent weeks attempting to contact the MP through normal channels without success.
Sam’s stepfather said he had spoken directly with office staff but still could not secure contact with Julianne Campbell.
Police later entered the back office through a side entrance. During their entry, a staff member shut the door on the head of a four-year-old child, leaving visible bruising around the eye. The child’s mother became distressed.
Police later emerged and informed the group that no meeting would occur.
Sam’s family said they could not accept their verdict and would remain at the office until Julianne Campbell agreed to speak with them or contact them directly.
One Palestinian supporter, Subi, addressed the office while wearing a bloodstained bandana across his face and eyes to symbolise the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza. He condemned Israel’s actions and linked the protest to campaigns against weapons manufacturing in south-east Queensland, including facilities located in the neighbouring electorate of Bonner held by another labour member Kara Cook.
Despite repeated pleas from the family, the office refused to organise a meeting. Julianne Campbell later returned a call from Chantal but gave no undertaking to assist her son. Instead, Campbell repeatedly returned the discussion to fourteen people coming to her office and (after a long wait) began chanting: “Labor Party, you can’t hide — you’re supporting genocide.”
Police warned the group that officers would remove them from the premises at closing time if they remained.
After receiving the call the family left the office, still waiting for a response from the Member for Moreton.
Remah Naji from Justice for Palestine Magan-Djin and other supporters continue to demand that DFAT and Foreign Minister Penny Wong intervene with Israeli authorities to secure the release of Sam Watson and others detained from the flotilla, and to act against the genocide unfolding in Gaza.
Ian Curr
21 May 2026