politics

Homophobic graffiti sprayed on Sydney MP's office under investigation

Homophobic graffiti sprayed on Sydney MP's office under investigation

A crime scene has been set up at Alex Greenwich's office on Oxford Street in Surry Hills after an attack he describes as "deeply distressing".

The Sydney offices of independent MP Alex Greenwich have been graffitied with homophobic slurs.

Mr Greenwich said he has previously received "written threats, phone abuse, social media, but never anything like this".

NSW Police are investigating the incident and urge anyone with information to come forward.

Homophobic graffiti sprayed on the outside walls and windows of Sydney MP Alex Greenwich's office is under investigation by NSW Police.

Mr Greenwich told the ABC that the vandalism was unprecedented.

"I've got lots of written threats, phone abuse, social media, but never anything like this," he said.

Reports of the attack at the Oxford Street premises in the inner-east Sydney suburb of Surry Hills were received by police on Sunday at about 12pm.

"A crime scene has been established, and investigators are reviewing CCTV and conducting inquiries to identify the people involved," police said in a statement.

In a post on social media, Mr Greenwich said the incident was "deeply distressing" for both his staff and himself.

"No-one should face this kind of hatred in their workplace, especially on the 9th anniversary of Australia’s marriage equality YES vote," the post said.

"If the intention was to intimidate me, it has had the opposite effect. I’m more determined than ever to make Sydney and NSW safer, fairer and more equal for our community."

Allegra Spender, the federal member for Wentworth, condemned the incident as "vile", saying she was "disgusted and appalled".

"Words matter, and this kind of attack is designed to intimidate and harm."

She added that her electorate was "sending you all our love and support".

The vandalism comes after growing awareness and discussion on violence against politicians, after the shocking car attack on Victorian Independent MP Helen Haines, which led to both her legs being amputated.

NSW MP Jodie Harrison told the ABC last month that the attack on Ms Haines had resurfaced memories of nine years ago when two envelopes containing death threats were slipped under the door.

"It made me feel physically sick," she said.

"One of the downsides of public life is that people who might not like us know that we can actually easily be found, because we're public people."

Recently, AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett told the ABC's Insider programme that there was a direct link between inflammatory political discourse and threats against parliamentarians.

"It does have a direct correlation to what we see in terms of threats and abuse, and sometimes it's very immediate," she said.

"I would challenge any Australian to read some of these threats and some of the abuse that is reported to us from federal parliamentarians and for anyone to argue that that is free speech or political discourse."

Police are urging anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or Surry Hills Police Area Command.

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