Port Arthur: Dutton digs in
Peter Dutton has again compared the political leadership after the Port Arthur massacre to that of a major pro-Palestine protest last year.
The Opposition Leader used a speech last Wednesday to contrast Anthony Albanese’s “inaction” on tackling antiSemitism in Australia to the decisive action John Howard took on firearms in the wake of the 1996 massacre.
He faced a barrage of criticism after he said the protest at Sydney Opera House on October 9, in the wake of Hamas’ attack on Israel, was “akin to a Port Arthur moment in terms of their social significance”.
He refused to walk back the comments on Friday, and said he had made the comparison to demonstrate the Prime Minister’s “weak” leadership on antiSemitism.
During a press conference on Tuesday about the previous night’s terrorist attack in southwestern Sydney, ASIO director general Mike Burgess was asked whether he was concerned about Mr Dutton’s comments. Mr Burgess said “every single Australian” had a responsibility with the language they use.
Hours later, as Mr Dutton called for calm following the church attack, he was asked again about his comments.
He said “left wing trash media” had conflated his comments, and sought to clarify his point.
“At the time, John Howard’s leadership was a strong response which changed the course of our country’s history for the better,” he said.
“He stood up and implemented the gun laws.”
He said Mr Albanese’s inaction over the Opera House protests “was pathetic”.