Teal MP Allegra Spender threatens to sue challenger over ‘disgraceful accusation’

Teal Wentworth MP Allegra Spender has threatened legal action against Liberal candidate Ro Knox for making the “disgraceful accusation” that one of her campaign signs had been placed to cover up an image of an Israeli family snatched by Hamas.

Four members of the Bibas family, including two small children, were kidnapped during Hamas’ terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Only the father of the family survived captivity in Gaza as the family’s plight became a symbol of calls to return all hostages, or their remains, home.

Knox made the allegation to Jewish news site J-Wire on Thursday that Spender’s team had covered up a poster supporting the family.

”It is deeply disappointing and offensive that Allegra Spender’s team chose to cover a poster of the Bibas family with one of her election signs,” she said. “This shows a lack of respect, and our community deserves a campaign built on honesty, integrity, and decency.”

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Wentworth, which takes in suburbs such as Vaucluse and Bondi on Sydney’s eastern coastline, has one of the largest Jewish Australian communities of any seat in the country. In a statement on Instagram last night, Spender said the accusation was false.

“My post was put up previously, clear of anything else. The volunteer who put up the poster is a Jewish Australian,” she said. “The Bibas family poster was inserted later. There is time-stamped photo evidence and a statutory declaration from the volunteer to confirm this.”

“I am considering legal options against the Liberal Party candidate and I ask that she unreservedly apologise,” Spender posted on Instagram. “The tragic conflict overseas and suffering of communities in Australia should not be exploited for political gain.”

The NSW Liberal Party was contacted for comment.