PM praises Khawaja as a ‘great Australian’ but rejects suggestion he is ignoring Islamophobia

<p>Anthony Albanese condemns a suspected Islamophobic attack in a Melbourne shopping centre last week</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2025/feb/19/australia-news-live-nsw-music-festival-pill-testing-trial-oscar-jenkins-russian-captivity-video-ntwnfb">Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates</a></li><li>Get our <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters?CMP=cvau_sfl">breaking news email</a>, <a href="https://app.adjust.com/w4u7jx3">free app</a> or <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/series/full-story?CMP=cvau_sfl">daily news podcast</a></li></ul><p>The prime minister has condemned a suspected Islamophobic attack on two women at a suburban shopping centre, almost a week after the assaults.</p><p>An unidentified woman allegedly assaulted a 30-year-old woman inside the shopping complex before she pushed a 26-year-old woman to the floor in a separate incident about 10 minutes later, Victoria police said.</p><p><strong><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters?CMP=copyembed">Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email</a></strong></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/feb/19/pm-praises-khawaja-as-a-great-australian-but-rejects-suggestion-he-is-ignoring-islamophobia-ntwnfb">Continue reading...</a>