Islamophobic graffiti paints poor picture of NT

ISLAMOPHOBIC graffiti visible on the side of the Stuart Hwy has enraged a tourist from Cairns who says it “breeds apathy toward hate speech”.

Deb Selway has been on a road trip down the Stuart Hwy and was shocked to find “ban Islam” graffitied on an old water tank and several signs on the way into Tennant Creek.

“It’s right on the highway, the water tank is on a patch of land and it’s very visible for the highway,” Ms Selway said.

“I’m not sure what shocked me more, the graffiti or the apathy toward the hate speech on the one of Australia’s major roadways.”

Ms Selway said it appeared the graffiti had been there for a long time.

“Possibly thousands of travellers could have seen it,” she said.

When she arrived at Tennant Creek Ms Selway went to the local council office where she was told the signs were on Power and Water land. However, a Power and Water spokeswoman said the property was not on the corporation’s land.

Tourism Minister Lauren Moss said the graffiti would not change the public’s view on the Territory.

“Hate speech has absolutely no place in the Northern Territory,” she said.

“As Territorians, we are proud of our diverse, multicultural, welcoming communities and this is exactly what visitors see and experience when they come here. One bit of graffiti won’t change that.”

Essential Services Minister Dale Wakefield has asked Power and Water staff on the ground to remove the graffiti.