Australia’s heated political climate cannot be blamed on politicians alone, according to One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce, who says social unrest and divisive public demonstrations are also stirring tensions across the country.
His comments come after the Australian Federal Police (AFP) linked heated discourse with a ramp up in threats to MPs.
It is one week on since independent Victorian MP Helen Haines was rammed twice with a LandCruiser outside her Wangaratta office, allegedly driven by 43-year-old Brendan Nugent, who has been charged and remains in police custody.
As a result, Haines has lost both legs.
Speaking to Seven’s Sunrise on Oct. 26, Joyce said the Westminster system relies on robust debate.
“I don’t agree with this idea that of people saying it’s solely to do with politicians, that’s rubbish,” Joyce said.
The former Nationals leader said social unrest was also playing out across the country.
“The people who walked across the Harbour Bridge and were waving Palestinian flags and ISIS-like flags, well, that’s certainly stirring up sentiments, that people go demonstrate on Remembrance Day that stirs up things,” he said.
“And if you do something and not expect an equal and opposite reaction … then you’re foolish because people will always respond to defend their position as well.”
Joyce also said Australians should be wary of excessive censorship due to polarising opinions.
“Censorship is a huge problem for Australia,” he said. “It’s a huge problem for democracy.
“You can do two things at the same time—one is tone down what you do without bringing about censorship.”
Labor MP Tanya Plibersek said the AFP’s comments should be considered, but agreed the issue was broader.
“What we’re hearing is that teachers and principals and shop assistants and flight attendants and the kids who are reffing sport on the weekend are being abused just for doing their jobs,” Plibersek also told Sunrise.
“Surely all of us have a role to play … in your own behaviour … just think … can I be kinder to the people around me?”
On Oct. 25, AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett said her agency saw an uptick in abuse during times of heightened debate.
“It does have a direct correlation to what we see in terms of threats and abuse, and sometimes it’s very immediate,” she told the ABC.
“I would challenge any Australian to read some of these threats and some of the abuse that is reported to us from federal parliamentarians and for anyone to argue that that is free speech or political discourse.”
