Nationals MP George Christensen Joked About Shooting “Greenie Punks”
He made the remarks less than three days after the Florida high school shooting.
Nationals MP George Christensen has been heavily criticised for a Facebook post in which he appears to joke about murdering his political opponents.
On Saturday, the ultra-conservative member for Dawson in northern Queensland shared a photo of himself brandishing a rifle at a gun range. The image was accompanied by a caption in which Christensen insisted that gun owners “don’t deserve to be demonised like they are by the media and the Left”.
In the comments section below the photo, Christensen posted a second photo of himself aiming a handgun, along with the caption “you gotta ask yourself, do you feel lucky, greenie punks?”
On what planet does George Christensen think this is acceptable? #auspol pic.twitter.com/lq6K4fLCD1
— Anthony Webb (@anthonyqld) February 18, 2018
Hot tip for you, George: if you don’t want gun owners to be demonised, maybe don’t immediately joke about gun murder.
Christensen has been widely condemned for the post. Greens MP Sarah Hanson-Young tweeted that he was an “idiot” and that he should be sacked.
A Member of Parliament inciting violence against a group of voters should be a sackable offence. If the leader of the Nationals had any class he’d sack him. https://t.co/w2zlo3JdTI
— Sarah Hanson-Young? (@sarahinthesen8) February 18, 2018
This dangerous man should face severe disciplinary action for inciting violence. Unfit for public office. pic.twitter.com/YPR6Ejsz9C
— Josh Bornstein (@JoshBBornstein) February 18, 2018
Malcolm Turnbull: This week couldn’t get any worse for the Government
George Christensen: Hold my glock#auspol
— R. Min Chin (@MinchinRob) February 18, 2018
Many have also criticised Christensen for the timing of his post, which came just a few short days after a school shooting in Florida left 17 children dead.
Hi @GChristensenMP. I see you posted this on facebook a few hours ago. On Thursday I sat in Sydney with a 20 yr old kid as he sobbed at news of the Parkland shooting. His friend, Scott Beigel, was killed. I’d be happy to have a chat about why your post is not funny if you’d like? https://t.co/cNhhEbRoKJ
— Sharna Bremner (@sharnatweets) February 18, 2018
Wow. So according to @GChristensenMP apparently two days is the respectful length of time to wait after a school shooting before making a joke about massacring your political nemeses. pic.twitter.com/VsI88cdjFA
— Claire Connelly (@_ClaireConnelly) February 18, 2018
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Feature image via George Christensen/Facebook