Michael McGuire: Political debate has become an ugly mess

You can blame social media and dark corners of the internet all you want for what happened in Christchurch, but hateful views are being heard every day thanks to our national leaders, writes Michael McGuire.

There must be a way to reclaim civility in modern Australia.

To stop the posturing and desire to use race and religion as political weapons.

Nobody is responsible for the massacre in Christchurch except the vicious inadequate with a gun. But then again, nothing happens in a vacuum.

But where did this plastic soldier source his ideas? Find his comfort? Find his friends and support? How did he come to the conclusion that one section of society were such a threat, such a danger?

Turns out he didn’t have to look too far:

“Islamophobia hasn’t killed anyone,” former prime minister Tony Abbott once said.

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“Maybe we do need to think about whether this garment (burqa) is appropriate to be worn in places that are dedicated to upholding Australian values.’’ Abbott again.

“That is how you solve the problem, put a ban on it (Islam) and then let’s deal with the issues here.” One Nation leader Pauline Hanson.

“Now we are in danger of being swamped by Muslims.’’ Hanson again.

Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott once said Islamophobia never killed anybody. Picture: John Appleyard

“My suggestion is to invite one of the biker gangs to be present in numbers at Cronulla railway station when these Lebanese thugs arrive, it would be worth the price of admission to watch these cowards scurry back onto the train for the return trip to their lairs. Australians old and new shouldn’t have to put up with this scum.” Sydney’s number one radio personality Alan Jones reads out letter on air just before Cronulla riots.

“There is no “us” anymore, as a tidal wave of immigrants sweeps away what’s left of our national identity.’’ Columnist Andrew Bolt.

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“People who’d need medical services in Australia are going to be displaced from those services because if you bring hundreds and hundreds of people from Nauru and Manus (Island) down to our country they are going to go to the health network.” Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton.

“It’s just a simple fact. If we’ve got to treat more people in Australia then obviously they’re going to take the place of people who were getting that treatment anyway. It’s just simple math.” PM Scott Morrison agreeing with Dutton.

One Nation leader Senator Pauline Hanson has repeatedly used her parliamentary platform to criticise the Islamic faith and the Muslim community. Picture: AAP/Mick Tsikas

“They’re (Labor) going to tax retirees through their retiree tax to pay for increased refugee intake in Australia.” Morrison again.

And then, a motion introduced by Hanson into the Australian parliament: “The Senate acknowledges a) the deplorable rise of anti-white racism and attacks on western civilisation and b) that it is okay to be white.’’

Those who voted in favour of this white power motion included the Liberal Party, the Nationals, One Nation, Cory Bernardi and Fraser Anning.

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“The final solution to the immigration problem, of course, is a popular vote.” Anning revives memories of how to deal with minority groups you don’t like.

“Personally I would like to see it stopped now for Australia. Because I want to feel safe, as all of our citizens do, when they go out to celebrate Australia Day.” TV personality Sonia Kruger on wanting to ban Muslims immigrating to Australia.

Senator Fraser Anning was egged by 17 year old boy following his response to the Christchurch terrorist attack. Picture: supplied

“Attacks like this happen because the establishment panders to and mollycoddles extremist Leftism and barbaric, alien religious cultures.’’ Friend of Mark Latham (among many others), Milo Yiannopoulos after 50 people were murdered in Christchurch.

Then, of course, we had Anning blaming the victims for being shot. This is a small sample, not even the worst, of statements aimed at dehumanising a specific group of people.

What are these people trying to achieve? Who do they think are listening to them? Do they ever think their words have consequences?

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ASIO has given plenty of warnings to politicians about the danger of using such language. You can blame social media if you like, but views are now being heard every day in the general media that would have once seemed extreme.

Topics such as Australia’s immigration levels and the threat of Islamic terrorism should be discussed, but need to be done without vilification, dog-whistling and the lazy recourse to stereotypes. Are we up to that challenge?

Michael McGuire is a journalist for The Advertiser.

@mcguiremi