Dutton won’t back down on Port Arthur comment

Peter Dutton has again compared the political leadership after the Port Arthur massacre and that of a major pro-Palestine protest last year.

The Opposition Leader used a speech last Wednesday to contrast Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s “inaction” on tackling anti-Semitism in Australia to the decisive action John Howard took on firearms in the wake of the 1996 massacre.

He faced a barrage of criticism after he said the protest at Sydney Opera House on October 9, in the wake of Hamas’ attack on Israel, was “akin to a Port Arthur moment in terms of their social significance”.

He refused to walk back the comments on Friday, and said he had made the comparison to demonstrate Mr Albanese’s “weak” leadership on anti-Semitism.

Dutton won’t back down on Port Arthur comment

During a press conference on Tuesday about the previous night’s terrorist attack in southwestern Sydney, ASIO director general Mike Burgess, was asked about whether he was concerned about Mr Dutton’s comments.

Mr Burgess said “every single Australian” had a responsibility with the language they use.

Hours later, as Mr Dutton called for calm following the church attack and offered bipartisan support to the government, he was asked again about his comments.

He said “left wing trash media” had conflated his comments, and sought to clarify his point.

“At the time, John Howard’s leadership was a strong response which changed the course of our country’s history for the better,” he said.

“He stood up and implemented the gun laws.

“The response from the Prime Minister in relation to October 7, and the fear that’s being experienced by the Jewish community now, particularly off the back of what we saw on October 9 on the steps of the Opera House … it was pathetic, to be honest.

“And to see Australians living with that fear at the moment is truly horrible.”

He said Australia “wouldn’t tolerate” the treatment Jewish Australians were experiencing if it was any other group.

“People are being cancelled. They’re being kicked off boards, friends are disassociating themselves,” Mr Dutton said.

“Where else would we tolerate this level of discrimination in our country … the way in which they’ve been treated is truly appalling.

“I think the Prime Minister should have shown stronger leadership in condemning the acts, because to allow a level of anti-Semitism in any form is completely unacceptable.”

The government last week said it was a mistake to conflate Port Arthur with the rise in anti-Semitism.

Labor’s Brian Mitchell, whose electorate of Lyons includes Port Arthur, last week condemned Mr Dutton’s speech.

“I would ask Peter Dutton to reflect on that and refrain from making such divisive and inflammatory comments using the tragedy in our community,” he said.