Mr SETTER - 1996-02-29
I was appalled to learn a couple of days ago that Hon Warren Snowdon and an ALP supporter invaded the Greek Church in Darwin last Sunday to hand out their election materials. Can the minister advise whether he has received any complaints following the intrusion of these ALP campaign workers, and what steps can be taken, if any, to prevent political parties from intruding on a place of worship in future?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, this is a serious matter and one that applies equally to all political parties and candidates. I have received complaints. I am absolutely staggered that Labor Party members, who obviously are desperate in this election, have taken it upon themselves ...
Mrs Hickey interjecting.
Mr STONE: ... to intrude on a place of worship. The member for Barkly might think it is a joke. I can tell her that it is not considered a joke by the Greek community. In fact, ALP members asked the Greek Community Council whether it was okay for them to come and hand out material and they were told it would not be a good idea. The council could not have been any plainer. Notwithstanding that, I understand that Hon Warren Snowdon MHR, federal member for the Territory, together with supporters who I understand were Greeks from Canberra, attended at the church and proceeded to hand out election material that was printed in the Greek language. I table a copy.
I tell members opposite that it is absolutely appalling that the ALP would stoop to that kind of tactic. I ask 3 things of the Leader of the Opposition. Will he disassociate himself from the actions of the ALP campaign workers? Will he condemn Warren Snowdon's campaign team for their insensitivity and intrusion on churchgoers? Will he undertake that Labor campaign officials will never repeat this type of activity? Those are 3 simple requests asking him to disassociate himself from this kind of intrusion on worshippers in a church. Will he give an undertaking that the ALP will not engage in these types of tactics in the future? The Greek community awaits his reply.
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ANSWER
Mr Speaker, this is a serious matter and one that applies equally to all political parties and candidates. I have received complaints. I am absolutely staggered that Labor Party members, who obviously are desperate in this election, have taken it upon themselves ...
Mrs Hickey interjecting.
Mr STONE: ... to intrude on a place of worship. The member for Barkly might think it is a joke. I can tell her that it is not considered a joke by the Greek community. In fact, ALP members asked the Greek Community Council whether it was okay for them to come and hand out material and they were told it would not be a good idea. The council could not have been any plainer. Notwithstanding that, I understand that Hon Warren Snowdon MHR, federal member for the Territory, together with supporters who I understand were Greeks from Canberra, attended at the church and proceeded to hand out election material that was printed in the Greek language. I table a copy.
I tell members opposite that it is absolutely appalling that the ALP would stoop to that kind of tactic. I ask 3 things of the Leader of the Opposition. Will he disassociate himself from the actions of the ALP campaign workers? Will he condemn Warren Snowdon's campaign team for their insensitivity and intrusion on churchgoers? Will he undertake that Labor campaign officials will never repeat this type of activity? Those are 3 simple requests asking him to disassociate himself from this kind of intrusion on worshippers in a church. Will he give an undertaking that the ALP will not engage in these types of tactics in the future? The Greek community awaits his reply.
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Last updated: 09 Aug 2016