Anger at cartoon
Labor wants JPL’s head over COVID Nazi slur
A GOLD Coast MP has refused to delete a controversial cartoon he shared on social media despite it labelling coronavirus a “mild flu” and the pandemic a “fear campaign”.
The cartoon posted on Twitter criticises Queensland’s COVID-19 response as a re-election stunt and appears to depict Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young wearing a Nazi SS officer’s cap, prompting the Labor Government to demand Surfers Paradise MP John-Paul Langbroek’s sacking.
It has since emerged an original version, seen by the Bulletin, included a white swastika on Dr Young’s sleeve. It is blacked out in the image tweeted by Mr Langbroek who said he had “no idea about the original” and “I definitely wouldn’t have done it (posted) had it been on the image I got”.
Mr Langbroek defended Saturday’s tweet and said Racing and Multicultural Affairs Minister Stirling Hinchliffe’s reaction, calling for his sacking, was “over the top”.
He was driven to post the “satirical” cartoon after being bombarded by complaints from people left in the lurch by border restrictions, Mr Langbroek said.
“It’s completely histrionic, over the top,” he said. “It’s a Labor Government who obviously don’t understand the Gold Coast.
“I’m representing the views of my constituency and make no apologies for standing up for my frustrated, upset, worried, harried constituents, who I was talking to in great numbers for hours.”
Mr Langbroek said he did not agree with some statements in Steve Hunter’s cartoon, including those downplaying the pandemic, but backed its general message.
He said he “looked at it very closely” before sharing, but claimed he did not spot the “mild flu” or “fear campaign” references, or cap which bears a striking resemblance to those worn by Adolf Hitler’s Schutzstaffel (SS) during the Second World War.
“It’s a critique of the premier. It’s not questioning the Chief Health Officer’s advice.
“Labor are completely desperate. This is really an example of the left and cancel culture.
“Sharing a cartoon, just ridiculous. I’m not apologising for it, I’m not removing it. I’ll answer to the people of Surfers Paradise on October 31.”
Mr Langbroek said he had spoken to a Main Beach woman unable to see her mother, 91, in hospital after the elderly woman had a stroke and a man with a business over the border confronted by police when he tried to attend his shop.
Mr Hinchliffe said: “Mr Langbroek stooped to a new low when he used social media to share a cartoon comparing the COVID-19 pandemic to a ‘mild flu’. The same cartoon labelled the global pandemic a ‘ fear campaign’. John-Paul Langbroek is a medical professional.
“It beggars belief he’d undermine his own profession by endorsing ridiculous, unscientific, far-right conspiracy theories.
“The Leader of the Opposition either shares these views or doesn’t. If she doesn’t, she should sack him. If she does share these views, we know why the LNP called for borders to be open 64 times.
“The threat from coronavirus is real – 875,000 people have died from COVID-19. This is no laughing matter.”
Mr Hinchliffe said the Palaszczuk Government would act on Dr Young’s advice.
“Science, knowledge, experience and common sense have all served us extremely well in Queensland,” he said.
“Because we have had a strong, informed health response, we’ve already started delivering our plan for Queensland’s economic recovery,” the Minister said.
Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington said the cartoon was “a bit of political satire”.
“It does highlight the community’s reflection on the economic and social failings under the Palaszczuk Government because of COVID.”
I’M NOT REMOVING IT. I’LL ANSWER TO THE PEOPLE OF SURFERS PARADISE ON OCTOBER 31 JOHN-PAUL LANGBROEK