Dutton is unhinged - Literally nobody genuinely thinks this, page-122

Dutton’s Port Arthur comparison ‘disrespectful to broader Australian public’: NSWCCL

The New South Wales’ Council for Civil Liberties has denounced opposition leader Peter Dutton’s decision to compare a pro-Palestine protest to the 1996 Port Arthur massacre.

President Lydia Shell said Dutton’s comments were both insensitive to the victims and survivors of the Port Arthur tragedy, but also “disrespectful to the broader Australian public”.

In a statement, the council argued such statements “lack factual basis” and “dangerously conflate unrelated issues, leading to misinformation and unwarranted associations”.

Shell said in a statement:

The Port Arthur massacre stands as one of Australia’s darkest moments, and any attempt to exploit its memory for political gain or to deflect from critical discussions is deeply concerning…

It is essential to distinguish between legitimate expressions of political dissent, such as protests advocating for a ceasefire in Palestine, and heinous acts of violence like the Port Arthur massacre. Drawing parallels or suggesting connections where none exist not only undermines public confidence in our civil institutions, but also risks inciting division within our communities.

Peter Dutton made the comments during a speech on Wednesday night. Photograph: Steven Saphore/AAP

Shell said parliamentarians must “resist the urge to exploit the senseless loss of human life for their own political purposes”.

The leader of the opposition’s disgraceful comments tarnish the position he holds and the party he represents. We urge Mr. Dutton and all political leaders to refrain from furthering divisive narratives and to focus on addressing pressing issues with integrity and respect for democratic values.