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Twitter users savage LNP MP George Christensen over tweet that said budget whingers should tour Asia to gain some perspective

THE backlash keeps coming for Queensland MP George Christensen over his tweet that encouraged budget whingers to tour Asia to gain some perspective.

Free Meat Week put on by National MP George Christensen at parliament House in Canberra.
Free Meat Week put on by National MP George Christensen at parliament House in Canberra.

QUEENSLAND MP George Christensen has received a death threat over a controversial tweet he made yesterday.

Twitter users were incensed when the LNP member for Dawson tweeted that people complaining about the federal budget should get some perspective by touring Asia.

He posted a photo of a shirtless, impoverished child in a rubbish-filled alleyway to underline his point. Here’s the original Tweet:

But the debate has turned toxic.

Earlier this morning, Mr Christensen posted on his Facebook a threatening email he had received.

“Just remember a***wipe, those Asian countries also have a high number of MP (sic) that are assassinated. Aussies have GUNS .. just remember that! You have become a MARK!”

The shocking email sent to Queensland MP George Christensen.
The shocking email sent to Queensland MP George Christensen.

The email was sent with a graphic photograph of a bloodied man lying dead on the ground.

Mr Christensen pointed the finger at Opposition Leader Bill Shorten for raising the temperature of the budget debate.

“Shorten needs to tone down his calls for public anger on the budget lest this becomes a reality,” Mr Christensen wrote on Facebook.

The shocking email follows a tirade of complaint from Twitter users yesterday — including Greens MP Adam Bandt and Labor’s Tony Burke — slamming Mr Christensen’s original tweet.

He copped even more criticism later in the afternoon when he tweeted again in defence of his earlier comment, saying “Sometimes the truth hurts”.

Cue more angry reactions on Twitter.

Not all of the comments were critical, with some tweeting in support of Mr Christensen’s stance.

The comments come on the back of the Abbott Government’s unpopular budget, which will slash Australia’s foreign aid contributions by $7.6 billion over five years.

Originally published as Twitter users savage LNP MP George Christensen over tweet that said budget whingers should tour Asia to gain some perspective

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/national/twitter-users-savage-lnp-mp-george-christensen-over-tweet-that-said-budget-whingers-should-tour-asia-to-gain-some-perspective/news-story/ead4690a8f051d81cd2d90804df1d57f