AUSTRALIA DAY UNREST A SAD ATTACK ON FREE SPEECH
January 27, 2012 · Leave a Comment
“The violent reaction to the comments made by the Opposition Leader yesterday were disgraceful and have no place in Australian society”, Senator Humphries said today, referring to the protests at the Lobby Restaurant in Canberra yesterday.
“Yesterday’s actions that put the Prime Minister, the Opposition Leader, Federal Police and the press in harm’s way were completely inappropriate and do nothing to advance the protesters’ cause.
“The use of violence against a person for expressing their opinion is completely unacceptable. Indeed it is an attack on the values that we celebrate on Australia Day.
“The move toward recognising Indigenous people in the Constitution will not be helped by yesterday’s shabby little display.
“The views expressed yesterday about the Tent Embassy by Tony Abbott align with comments I have heard from at least a dozen indigenous leaders over the years. His comments were in no sense extreme or inappropriate.
“Actions by a small minority are certainly not representative of the dedicated community leaders I know, who seek to better the lives of indigenous Australians”.
Senator Humphries is the Coalition’s spokesman on emergency services and says the actions by the crowd marred the medals presentation on a day when members of the emergency services were to be honored.
“I’m disappointed that a function to honour the dedication of our emergency services personnel was ruined by the actions of these few”, Senator Humphries concluded.
27 January 2012
