Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Sunday announced the closure of his Grayndler electorate office on Marrickville Road in Sydney after years of protests that he said repeatedly blocked access to the premises and led to vandalism.
Albanese said the lease on the office had been discontinued after 30 years and that the space would be vacated. "Sadly, over the past two years, aggressive protesters have repeatedly blocked access to the electorate office for people seeking assistance," he said, adding that the demonstrations had "significantly impacted churchgoers attending the neighbouring St Clements Church, including disruption to funerals and other church services."
The Prime Minister said the office had been vandalised and blockaded and that pro-Palestine activists had taken over the site during recent demonstrations. He said electorate staff would continue to provide services from other community locations and by online and telephone means while a new site in Grayndler was arranged.
"I'm incredibly proud of the work electorate officers, past and present, have done in assisting my community from this location," Albanese said. He said the electorate would continue to be serviced by "hardworking, dedicated electorate officers at locations in the community, online and via telephone during this time." He also confirmed the office would be moved to a new site in Grayndler.
The closure follows years of demonstrations outside the Marrickville Road office. Local reports and statements from Albanese indicated the most sustained disruptions occurred over the past two years, including blockades that impeded constituents seeking assistance and regular access to services in the immediate area.
Albanese framed the decision as a necessary response to ensure constituents could continue to access assistance without obstruction and to prevent further disruption to neighbouring properties. He did not provide a timetable for the relocation, saying only that the electorate office would be moved to a new site and that services would continue from alternative locations in the interim.
The announcement drew attention to tensions surrounding local protest activity and the practical effects such demonstrations can have on public-facing offices and community institutions. Albanese's office said further details about the new location and arrangements for in-person services would be provided as they became available.