Abetz buys into furore over Anzac Day stance

TASMANIAN Liberal senator Eric Abetz has written to the Minister for Foreign Affairs calling for the dismissal of ABC presenter Yassmin Abdel-Magied from her official government advisory positions following her “unacceptable” comments on Anzac Day.

A furore erupted on Tuesday when Ms Abdel-Magied posted a Facebook status suggesting Australians should be thinking of refugees instead of fallen soldiers.

“Lest we forget [Manus, Nauru, Syria, Palestine]”, the post said.

Ms Abdel-Magied, who hosts the ABC’s Australia Wide program, deleted and apologised for the controversial post but since then there have been calls for her to be sacked. Senator Abetz has asked that her role with the Council for Australian-Arab Relations be terminated.

Senator Abetz said the Minister for Foreign Affairs could terminate the appointment of a member of a board at any time by notice of writing.

“Ms Abdel-Magied has demonstrated that she is unfit and lacks the judgment to build stronger Australian-Arab relations and as a result her appointment should be terminated as a matter of urgency,” Senator Abetz said.

“To understand the significance and high regard Anzac Day is held in our Australian culture should be a minimum and basic requirement to serve on such a body. Ms Abdel-Magied fails that test.

“I note a number of Islamic leaders have similarly condemned Ms Abdel-Magied’s reprehensible comments for seeking to make political mileage out of Anzac Day.

“I am hopeful that the Government will take action to remove Ms Abdel-Magied from her role given her very poor judgment.”

Yassmin Abdel-Magied