Mrs BRAHAM - 1996-10-09
I was really concerned last night that the Leader of the Opposition refused to apologise to Mrs Rosie Kunoth-Monks for the conduct of a Labor electoral worker at Kurrajong Bore whom the Leader of the Opposition identified as Mr John Hickey. The Leader of the Opposition has refused also to disassociate herself from the very racist and sexist remarks made in the attack on Mrs Kunoth-Monks.
Members interjecting.
Mrs BRAHAM: What is the attitude of the Chief Minister to standover tactics of this kind being employed against anyone, but particularly against an Aboriginal lady, bearing in mind the national debate about racism at the moment that the ALP is involved in?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I was particularly disappointed to note that a number of the male members of the opposition interjected when the member for Braitling was asking her question. They
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seem to consider this to be matter of some amusement. Quite clearly, in her comments to the media last night, the Leader of the Opposition was not taking the matter seriously. In her comments to the media, she referred to `private disputes between 2 people who are well able to defend themselves'.
Ms Martin: Exactly!
Mr STONE: `Exactly', interjects the member for Fannie Bay. Yet I recall, following on from the Arnhem by-election, that there was a certain controversy over comments that were made by the member for Millner. When it was said that this was a matter between 2 people, we were greeted with outrage and outcry, and I think even a motion condemning the so-called inappropriate behaviour of members at the time. Of course, other criticism was then levelled across the Chamber.
However, what really concerns me - and I thank the member for her question - is the image that this is generating in other parts of Australia of what occurs in the Territory. It was really disturbing to see reported at page 4 of the Herald-Sun, which has the largest daily circulation in Australia: `ALP in racist slur on actor'. It really is not good enough for the Leader of the Opposition to get to her feet, either in this House or in front of the television cameras, and say that it was a private dispute. Until she stands up and accepts responsibility for what occurred at Kurrajong Bore, until she stands and acknowledges that it was not appropriate behaviour and apologises on behalf of her people, saying that it should not have happened, she has absolutely no credibility. I will be interested to hear what she has to say when we debate amendments to the Domestic Violence Act. I will be very interested to see whether her double standards translate across to that debate.
Why will the Leader of the Opposition not show some backbone and get to her feet and say: `It was wrong. He should never have said those things to that Aboriginal lady. He should never have made those discriminatory, racist remarks to that lady'. She should apologise, accept responsibility and give an undertaking that we will have no more of those standover tactics by ALP campaign workers.
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Members interjecting.
Mrs BRAHAM: What is the attitude of the Chief Minister to standover tactics of this kind being employed against anyone, but particularly against an Aboriginal lady, bearing in mind the national debate about racism at the moment that the ALP is involved in?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I was particularly disappointed to note that a number of the male members of the opposition interjected when the member for Braitling was asking her question. They
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seem to consider this to be matter of some amusement. Quite clearly, in her comments to the media last night, the Leader of the Opposition was not taking the matter seriously. In her comments to the media, she referred to `private disputes between 2 people who are well able to defend themselves'.
Ms Martin: Exactly!
Mr STONE: `Exactly', interjects the member for Fannie Bay. Yet I recall, following on from the Arnhem by-election, that there was a certain controversy over comments that were made by the member for Millner. When it was said that this was a matter between 2 people, we were greeted with outrage and outcry, and I think even a motion condemning the so-called inappropriate behaviour of members at the time. Of course, other criticism was then levelled across the Chamber.
However, what really concerns me - and I thank the member for her question - is the image that this is generating in other parts of Australia of what occurs in the Territory. It was really disturbing to see reported at page 4 of the Herald-Sun, which has the largest daily circulation in Australia: `ALP in racist slur on actor'. It really is not good enough for the Leader of the Opposition to get to her feet, either in this House or in front of the television cameras, and say that it was a private dispute. Until she stands up and accepts responsibility for what occurred at Kurrajong Bore, until she stands and acknowledges that it was not appropriate behaviour and apologises on behalf of her people, saying that it should not have happened, she has absolutely no credibility. I will be interested to hear what she has to say when we debate amendments to the Domestic Violence Act. I will be very interested to see whether her double standards translate across to that debate.
Why will the Leader of the Opposition not show some backbone and get to her feet and say: `It was wrong. He should never have said those things to that Aboriginal lady. He should never have made those discriminatory, racist remarks to that lady'. She should apologise, accept responsibility and give an undertaking that we will have no more of those standover tactics by ALP campaign workers.
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Last updated: 09 Aug 2016