Wentworth campaign tensions rise – updated

A dispute has erupted in the federal seat of Wentworth over the placement of an election sign for independent MP Allegra Spender, following claims by Liberal candidate Ro Knox that it covered a poster of the Bibas family.

Knox described the placement as offensive and called for greater respect in the election campaign. “It is deeply disappointing and offensive that Allegra Spender’s team chose to cover a poster of the Bibas family with one of her election signs. This shows a lack of respect, and our community deserves a campaign built on honesty, integrity, and decency.”

However, Spender’s campaign has denied the allegation, stating that a Jewish volunteer installed the sign on Sunday morning (March 2) and no Bibas poster was present.  Spender addressed the controversy directly in a post on Instagram, strongly rejecting Knox’s claims and suggesting legal action may be considered.

“The Liberal Party candidate for Wentworth has recently made a disgraceful accusation that one of my posters was intentionally placed over an image of the Bibas family. This is completely false. My poster was put up previously, clear of anything else. The volunteer who put up the poster is a Jewish Australian. The Bibas family poster was inserted later. There is time-stamped photo evidence and a statutory declaration from the volunteer to confirm this.”

“I’m disgusted to see the Liberal Party candidate try to exploit the tragedy of the Bibas family for political gain. Earlier this week, the Daily Telegraph refused to publish these accusations because of their lack of credibility. I am considering legal options against the Liberal Party candidate and I ask that she unreservedly apologise. The tragic conflict overseas and suffering of communities in Australia should not be exploited for political gain.”

Update – 7 March, 2025

JWire has received the following time-stamped image from Allegra Spender’s team together with a statutory declaration from the person who placed the corflute sign. The declaration states that, on Sunday morning when the sign was placed, there were no other signs or displays near it, “certainly no posters with images of the Bibas family”.

“My poster was put up previously, clear of anything else,” Spender said, adding that the volunteer who installed it is a Jewish Australian. “The Bibas family poster was inserted later. There is time-stamped photo evidence and a statutory declaration from the volunteer to confirm this.”

Vandalism of Knox’s Campaign Sign Under Investigation

The dispute comes as Knox’s campaign reports an incident of vandalism in Rose Bay, where one of her campaign posters was defaced with a Nazi symbol and a Hitler-style moustache. The defacement has been reported to NSW Police, as displaying Nazi symbols is illegal under state law.

Knox condemned the vandalism, saying, “The defacement of my campaign posters with Nazi symbols and a Hitler moustache is deeply disturbing and has no place in Wentworth or anywhere in Australia. This kind of hate and vandalism is completely unacceptable, and I call on all candidates and parties to stand against it. We have reported this incident to the police.”

Knox’s team expressed concern over the rising number of antisemitic incidents in Wentworth and urged authorities to take the matter seriously. The NSW Police have yet to release a public response.

Campaign Climate in Wentworth

Wentworth, home to a significant Jewish population, has seen increased political tensions amid concerns over antisemitism and foreign policy issues. Spender has previously advocated for stronger laws to combat hate speech and antisemitism, while Knox has called for greater security measures and respect for the Jewish community.

With the federal election approaching, both candidates have called for a respectful and issue-based campaign. However, the controversy surrounding the Bibas family poster and the defacement of Knox’s sign illustrates the challenges of maintaining civility in a heated political environment.