Dutton calls for Hezbollah supporters to face 'full force of the law'

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. 

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”.

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.”

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.

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 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.”