An attack on the US Consulate in Sydney by someone wielding a small sledgehammer in the middle of the night is "not the Australian way", Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says.
Nine windows were damaged with the hammer and red inverted triangles - a symbol sometimes used by pro-Palestinian activists - were spray painted on the doors of the North Sydney building about 3am on Monday.
CCTV footage of the incident captured a person wearing a dark-coloured hoodie using a sledgehammer to try and break the windows of the consulate.
Mr Albanese called for respectful political debate and discourse.
"We should be able to have views - including on issues which are difficult," he told reporters.
"The Middle East conflict is a difficult issue. It is complex. It certainly needs some nuance and isn't a matter of just sloganeering."
"Measures such as painting the US Consulate do nothing to advance the cause."
NSW Premier Chris Minns described the incident as reprehensible.
"I don't think it's the kind of public debate that the overwhelming majority of Australians want to have, even if there's disagreement about events taking place overseas," he said.
"We can make our point in this country without resorting to violence or malicious behaviour."
Police are appealing for anyone in the area about this time who saw the incident, or who has dashcam or information relevant to the investigation, to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
