Today in Parliament Peter Dutton crawled under the skin of Independent MP, Zali Steggall.
Steggall called out Dutton's un-Australian behaviour as he repeatedly rudely interjected while she was addressing the Parliament. He then resorted to the bully-boy tactic of demanding the Speaker force Steggall to withdraw her comment because poor little Peter found it offensive.
" Independent MP Zali Steggall has accused Opposition Leader Peter Dutton of being racist in fiery scenes in Parliament.
It followed Dutton doubling down on his call on Wednesday for a blanket ban on visas for Palestinians fleeing to Australia from war-torn Gaza. ..."
"... On Thursday, as the Coalition interrupted House proceedings with a motion to suspend standing orders to debate his Palestinian visa argument, Steggall was one of those to speak in opposition.
She said it was “extremely concerning” to see the opposition “whipping up a sense of fear and an inference that, for example, our services and systems are not working”. “These are normal families. These are families you are seeking to paint that somehow they are all terrorists that they should all be mistrusted … that they are not worthy of humanitarian aid,” Steggall said.
As Dutton began interjecting, Steggall yelled at him to “stop being racist”.
He immediately called for the withdrawal of the “offensive and unparliamentary remark”.
Steggall did, after consultation with Speaker Milton Dick.
She was surrounded by fellow teal independents Zoe Daniel, Kate Chaney, Sophie Scamps, Kylea Tink and Helen Haines after her speech. Government MPs, led by Tanya Plibersek, also sat with Steggall. ..."
"... Muslim and Palestinian advocacy groups have also labelled Dutton’s comments racist and another attempt to stir up fear and hatred.
But earlier on Thursday he denied his call was discriminatory. ..."
"... ”Dutton rejected adding to community tensions, just days after ASIO director-general Mike Burgess called for public figures to be mindful of their rhetoric.
Asked if he had discussed the position with his Coalition colleagues beforehand, Dutton said “it’s not an issue that goes to shadow cabinet”. ..."
"... Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Murray Watt also said Dutton was unfit to be PM.
“Within three days, we’ve seen Peter Dutton go and thumb his nose at the director-general of ASIO and try to score a cheap political point, rather than actually listening to that advice about trying to tone down our language and keep the community together,” he said.
“He’s prepared to put Australians’ safety at risk and our social cohesion at risk, just to score a cheap political point.” ..."
