Muslim Vote Campaign Urges Voters to Preference Liberals Over Labor in Parramatta Over Gaza Stance
The Muslim Vote campaign is calling on voters in the marginal seat of Parramatta to preference the Liberal Party ahead of Labor, criticizing the ALP’s “failure to stand for justice on Gaza and Palestine.”
Modeled after teal-style movements, the Muslim Vote is not a political party but supports independent candidates aligned with its mission of mobilizing Muslim voters to elect candidates more supportive of Palestinian rights.
Anger among Muslim and Arab Australians has surged over the past 18 months, fueled by the devastation in Gaza. Convener Sheikh Wesam Charkawi told the ABC the frustration toward the federal government was unprecedented.
“I’ve never seen anger at this level,” Sheikh Charkawi said.
While the Muslim Vote is not backing a specific candidate in Parramatta, it is focused on unseating first-term Labor MP Andrew Charlton.
Sheikh Charkawi explained that by preferencing Labor after Liberal, the campaign aims to hold the ALP accountable for ignoring community concerns about Gaza.
“Given Labor’s weak response while presiding over what we see as genocide, they deserve to be preferenced beneath the Liberal Party,” he said.
Historically, Australian Muslims have supported Labor, but Sheikh Charkawi said that trust has been shattered.
“We will not be political hostages anymore,” he declared.
Last year, the International Court of Justice ordered Israel to prevent acts of genocide in Gaza — a charge Israel denied. Meanwhile, Gaza’s Health Ministry claims over 50,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 7, 2023, while Israel says 1,200 Israelis died in Hamas attacks.
Charlton Accused of Abandoning Community
The 2021 Census shows Muslims make up about 10.5% — just over 21,000 people — of the Parramatta electorate. While it’s unclear how many are voters, their numbers could influence the result in a seat where Labor holds a slim 3.7% margin.
The Muslim Vote has endorsed independent candidates Dr. Ziad Bassyouny in Watson and pharmacist Ahmed Ouf in Blaxland — electorates with the highest Muslim populations nationally. However, both are Labor strongholds with safe margins exceeding 14%.
In Parramatta, Andrew Charlton faces a tough contest against Liberal candidate Katie Mullens.
Sheikh Wesam said the message to Mr Charlton was clear:
“There must be consequences. Andrew Charlton has been silent on justice for Palestine and Gaza,” he said.
The Muslim Vote is advising supporters to rank Greens candidate Liz Tilly first, followed by Katie Mullens at number five, and Mr Charlton just before Trumpet of Patriots and Pauline Hanson’s One Nation.
Community members have reached out to Mr Charlton to express their outrage, but Sheikh Wesam claims their concerns have been ignored.
“Andrew Charlton has abandoned his constituency on Gaza. There’s a real mood of betrayal. Come May 3, many people are planning to vote against Labor.”
