Green spaces, climate and Gaza dominate Southbank’s feisty Macnamara candidate meet

Southbank locals have raised green spaces, climate change-induced urban heating, housing and public spaces as key issues at a meet the candidates forum for the federal seat of Macnamara.

Just 20 people attended the April 10 forum, organised by the Southbank Residents’ Association (SRA), with incumbent Labor MP Josh Burns and Greens candidate Sonya Semmens in attendance.

The Liberal Party’s candidate Benson Saulo was absent due to a scheduling clash. Mr Saulo was contacted for comment.

Attendees represented a diverse array of age groups and cultures despite the low numbers. Former City of Melbourne councillor and shareholder activist Stephen Mayne moderated the event.

The evening’s first question was about the need for more green public space in the high-rise heavy neighbourhood, with both candidates pledging to make the issue a priority if elected.

Mr Burns pointed to $4 million already secured through the federal government’s Thriving Communities program to build a community space under the King’s Way overpass.

Macnamara looks set to be one of the most fiercely contested seats of the federal election.

Preferences flowing from the Greens candidate in 2022 delivered the seat to Labor, but Mr Burns has since announced he will run an open ticket, preferencing no-one.

Ms Semmens confirmed at the forum the Greens would preference Labor over LNP candidate Benson Saulo.

Macnamara is home to a large Jewish community which has led to animosity with the Greens over antisemitic statements by some MPs as part of pro-Palestinian advocacy.

A question about preferences saw a prolonged exchange between Mr Burns and Ms Semmens about the advocacy of their parties for Israel and Palestine since the outbreak of the Gaza War in 2023.

Josh Burns, a member of the Jewish community, said as the MP for Macnamara his job was to represent the electorate and its issues.

“I saw Greens candidates acting as if their discussions in Canberra were going to impact on the ground operations [in Gaza],” he said. “And it’s just not the case.”

Ms Semmens defended the actions of some Greens members, saying more egregious statements had led to apologies, sensitivity training and charitable work.

Ms Semmens said she had door knocked the electorate extensively and knew well the fear being faced by members of the community amid the rise of far-right movements in Victoria.

Macnamara has witnessed the firebombing of the Adass Israel Synagogue in Ripponlea in December, which was later declared a terrorist attack, the marking of Jewish residents’ houses with the Star of David, and the vandalism of Burns’ electoral office in St Kilda.

During his final remarks Mr Burns exhorted voters to return him to office as a voice within government who could deliver outcomes for Macnamara.

Ms Semmens said as a Greens MP she would work to shift the policy of the next government on key issues like housing affordability and the cost-of-living.

AEC data shows Southbank and South Melbourne voters trended towards Labor at the 2022 election, making them critical areas for Mr Saulo and Ms Semmens to secure victory.

Early voting for the federal election on Saturday May 3 begins on Tuesday, April 22.