Bernardi visit stirs debate
Refugee advocate hits out at conservative senator’s push for Toowoomba seats
❝It makes me furious that we as a country are allowing this hatred. — Genevieve Allpass
CORY Bernardi’s visit to Toowoomba has caused outrage among the city’s refugee advocates, who have slammed the controversial senator’s views on immigration and racial discrimination.
Mr Bernardi spoke at a sold-out crowd of supporters at the Toowoomba Library on Tuesday, where he discussed the party’s policy platform and plan to target the Garden City’s conservative voters.
But refugee advocate and coordinator of PEACE group Genevieve Allpass said the senator’s previous comments on people seeking asylum in Australia, which included halving Australia’s intake and suggesting terrorists were amongst Syrian refugees, was reprehensible.
“A lot of our work with people from overseas is assuring them that refugees are welcome here,” she said.
“To have 100 people go to support this racist bigotry (is wrong) and there needs to be a voice there saying that we’re not all (like) that.
“It makes me furious that we as a country are allowing this hatred as common.”
Mr Bernardi has come under fire in the past for his comments on marriage equality, Islam and abortion, which he described as an “abhorrent form of birth control”.
Ms Allpass said she did not want to see his views, or those held by Pauline Hanson, taken seriously by the public.
“I don’t want these people legitimised – don’t let them think that they’re higher than they actually are,” she said.
“I do not believe in free speech that incites hatred.”
In response to the comments, Mr Bernardi encouraged critics to observe his policies before forming opinions.
“They’re entitled to their opinions, but I’m prepared to defend (my views) and make my case,” he said.
“What’s extraordinary is people make judgments about me and other politicians and they can’t back it up.”
The Australian Conservatives are expected to be registered as a party within eight weeks.