NT Police Minister Defends Himself Amid Controversy
NT Police Minister Brent Potter is facing backlash after old social media posts resurfaced, quoting a right-wing commentator and a Nazi general. Potter, who shared these posts in his 20s, claims they do not reflect his current views on social issues.
The Executive Council of Australian Jewry criticized Potter for sharing a post quoting Nazi Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, stating that it could glorify figures linked to the Nazi regime responsible for the deaths of millions.
Additionally, Potter shared a video where a right-wing commentator criticizes the Black Lives Matter movement. Another post shared by a relative used a racial slur, further adding to the controversy.
The Australian Jewish community has condemned Potter’s actions, sparking a debate on racism within the NT Police Force. An ongoing review is examining the extent of racism within the force, with Potter at the center of the discussion.
Ministre police NT défend.
Chief Minister Eva Lawler expressed her concerns about the prevalence of racism in the Northern Territory community, labeling it as “abhorrent” during an interview on ABC Radio Darwin. She specifically highlighted her worries regarding the impact of social media platforms. In a subsequent statement, Lawler reiterated her support for the police minister, emphasizing that the controversial posts shared by Brent Potter in 2013 do not align with his current beliefs and values. She acknowledged that Potter, prior to entering politics, reposted contentious content on social media, a decision he now regrets. Lawler emphasized the need to address and eliminate racism within the territory.
Potter’s sharing of a post by right-wing commentator Ben Shapiro mocking the Black Lives Matter movement also came under scrutiny. Despite defending his actions, Potter clarified that reposting such content nearly a decade ago, during his twenties, does not reflect his current perspectives on any issue. As a former Defense veteran with 15 years of service, Potter explained that his social media activity aimed to connect with fellow veterans through military-themed humor that may not be easily understood by those outside the military community. He acknowledged that, like many individuals his age, he made regrettable social media posts in his youth, actions he would not repeat with the wisdom of hindsight. Minister of Police in the Northern Territory stands by Potter.
Appels à la démission, rencontre avec la communauté juive
Les publications partagées ont été condamnées par plusieurs politiciens du territoire du Nord, et par le Conseil exécutif des Juifs d’Australie.
Le co-chef de l’organisation, Alex Ryvchin, a déclaré qu’il comprenait que M. Potter pourrait “évoluer et mûrir” avec le temps, mais l’a encouragé à rencontrer la communauté juive pour comprendre pourquoi les commentaires étaient blessants.
“Il est inacceptable à tout moment de dire ce genre de choses et de partager de l’humour raciste, et de glorifier les généraux nazis,” a-t-il déclaré.
“Nous devons comprendre que ces blagues, même si elles peuvent sembler être des plaisanteries inoffensives, font du mal, elles servent à diffamer des groupes de personnes.
“Si c’est une partie de la culture militaire, alors cela devrait être éradiqué, cela devrait être traité, alors nous devrions attendre mieux de nos forces armées, et dans l’ensemble je crois qu’elles se comportent à des normes beaucoup plus élevées.”
Alex Ryvchin is advocating for a meeting between Mr. Potter and the Jewish community to help him grasp the gravity of his unacceptable comments. In a social media post, Mark Turner, an independent Member for Blain and former police officer, revealed that former veterans had expressed their dismay over Mr. Potter’s remarks. Turner highlighted that the Australian Defence Force has strict guidelines regarding the dissemination of anti-Semitic and Nazi-related content. He emphasized the importance of Mr. Potter retracting his association of veterans with such comments. Another independent MLA, Robyn Lambley, went a step further by calling for Mr. Potter’s resignation, stating that she expects him not to be present in the Chamber when Parliament reconvenes. The incident was reported yesterday at 12:25 am and was updated 23 hours ago. For more information on this topic, please visit our site 60time.com. Don’t forget to follow us on social media at [email protected].
