A Muslim Vote-backed independent candidate is set to preference Labor last at the upcoming federal election, striking fear that safe seats could fall.
Ministers Jason Clare in Blaxland and Tony Burke in Watson face challenges from grassroots independents looking to seize on anger within large Muslim and Arab populations about Labor’s handling of the war in Gaza.
Watson candidate Ziad Basyouny is in negotiations with the Liberals, Greens and other independents to preference Labor last.
“The community is energised, engaged and ready to send a message that they will not be taken for granted anymore,” he told AAP.
“Our movement is about accountability, Labor cannot expect blind loyalty after everything they’ve done, and they will rank very low on our preferences.”
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton criticised Dr Basyouny in September after reports he had outraged Jewish community members by sharing social media posts that celebrated Hamas’ attack against Israel on October 7, 2023.
“This is a test of leadership for the prime minister … they should refuse to accept preferences or give preferences to this independent candidate, this is a very significant matter,” Mr Dutton told 2GB radio at the time.
The Muslim Vote has backed Ahmed Ouf for the Western Sydney seat of Blaxland, with the Liberals believed to also be in preference negotiations with him.
His campaign didn’t respond to requests for comment.
Mr Dutton has been critical of Labor changing its vote at the United Nations to support Palestine and a ceasefire, arguing the government had trashed Australia’s relationship with Israel to pander to progressive Greens’ voters.
The Muslim candidates’ rhetoric on the war in Gaza and Palestine more closely align with the Greens, including accusing Israel of genocide and calling for justice.
The NSW Greens said they hadn’t started negotiating preferences and that would not happen for some weeks but each local campaign was in charge of organising its rankings.
There was real anger in the community and while Gaza was at the centre, “it’s also about the blatant double standards, the silencing of Palestinian voices, and the complete failure of leadership,“ Dr Basyouny said.
“The rise in Islamophobia, the racial violence, the lack of action when Muslims and Arabs are attacked, people see the hypocrisy and they won’t forget it.”
He also outlined a lack of action on climate change and human rights more broadly, saying the overwhelming concern of voters in Watson was the cost-of-living crisis, including housing affordability being at breaking point.
The community felt taken for granted by Labor because it was viewed as a safe seat, he said.
The Muslim Vote isn’t a political party but is mobilising grassroots volunteers to challenge Labor in Western Sydney with a focus on “ensuring the community is informed about independent candidates who align with their values”.
The group pointed to Labor not taking a strong enough stance on supporting Palestine, a failure to hold Israel accountable, hardline immigration policies and its “weaponisation of counter-terrorism policies against the Muslims”.
“The anger towards Labor is not just widespread, it’s deep and personal,” a spokesperson told AAP.
“Communities that once voted Labor feel abandoned. Labor must be held accountable for its failures.”
Despite Labor holding the two Western Sydney seats on a 15 per cent margin, there are serious concerns behind the scenes at how the party has been polling in the area.
Blaxland has more than a 30 per cent Muslim population and Watson about 25 per cent.
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