Residents abuse Tozer
COUNCILLOR Glenn Tozer has been called a “grub and a moron” by residents for supporting the expansion of the Worongary mosque.
Despite criticism from organisers for not turning up to a protest rally, Cr Tozer yesterday believed he had made the right decision after antimosque residents took personal shots at him on Facebook.
About 400 residents at the Mudgeeraba Showgrounds on Sunday opposed an expansion of the mosque in Alkira Way, which would enable it to cater for up to 200 worshippers, up from the 40 approved for the rural residential property.
In one of the posts to Cr Tozer’s page, a male resident wrote: “You are p@ss (sic) weak. How much money did they give you? As usual Saudi money passing hands. Your (sic) history you moron … GRUB.”
The man and a female resident accused Cr Tozer of abandoning the suburb by not attending the rally, of failing to acknowledge the number of mosques being built in southeast Queensland and having no knowledge of Muslim teachings.
Cr Tozer responded by explaining it was illegal for him to distinguish between places of worship based on faith.
“I attend a Baptist church. I know the difference between a mosque and a church.”
Cr Tozer revealed he had spoken to police about some comments on social media and was advised to stay away.
“One example of this – albeit relatively tame – is you calling me “piss weak” and a “grub” or “moron” who is motivated or influenced by “Saudi money”,” he posted.
“These statements are not true and do not add value to community discussion about the issue. Due process will occur and the planning court will make a decision in accordance with precedent and relevant legislation.”
Cr Tozer told the Bulletin the advice from police was that he would “not be adding value to the meeting” by attending the protest. “The police did advise me not to go because of my neutral position on it. They thought it would inflame the situation.”
He said he was reluctant to ban residents from his Facebook page but had removed the man who made the insulting comments.
Cr Tozer said he made declarations of all the donors to his campaign and the reporting showed he was backed by people of various religions.