Not racist: Minns savaged over stance on Sam Kerr in racism scandal

NSW Premier Chris Minns doesn’t think being called a “stupid white bastard” is racist. But he’s been slammed for his stance by a former party colleague.

Fellow MPs have ripped into Chris Minns for his stance on the Sam Kerr controversy, after the NSW Premier said he didn’t think being called a “stupid white bastard” is racist.

Mr Minns said “no” when asked, if he was called the above name by someone, whether he would think that’s racist.

The Premier gave the single-word answer on Thursday morning, after news broke the night before alleging the Matildas captain used the term towards a police officer after a dispute over a taxi fare in London.

His stance drew a fiery response from One Nation MP Tania Mihailuk, who previously served alongside Mr Minns in the Labor Party, as well as Upper House MP Rod Roberts, a former detective sergeant in the NSW Police.

“I’ll call that out straight away – let’s reverse it and if someone called someone a stupid black bastard, we wouldn’t tolerate that,” Mr Roberts said.

The former cop said Kerr was allegedly speaking to a police officer “who’s in a position of authority which deserves respect”.

“We as a society wouldn’t tolerate that, they’d rush you right before an anti-discrimination board,” he said.

“We don’t stand for discrimination of any type at all, and it’s incumbent on our premier to set that standard.”

Ms Mihailuk, who defected to One Nation from Labor in 2022, also lashed the Premier’s position.

One Nation MP Tania Mihailuk lashed Chris Minns’ stance on Sam Kerr’s alleged remarks towards a police officer. Picture: AAP

“The Premier has just endorsed racism. He also exposed himself as a total hypocrite, pandering to populism at the expense of sound judgement,” she said.

She claimed the Premier “would be leading the mob” if the comments were reversed.

“How can a premier endorse the use of such inappropriate language – what message does this send to our kids from the leader of our state,” she said.

“If the comments were reversed there would be a riot, and the Premier would be leading the mob.”

The Chelsea superstar denies the allegation and plead not guilty on Monday to a charge of intentionally causing racially aggravated harassment, alarm or distress to a police officer.

NSW health Minister Ryan Park, when asked the same question as Mr Minns as to whether the remark was racist, said: “I’ve been called a lot worse, so no.”

Mr Minns found support from the other side of politics, with NSW Opposition leader Mark Speakman also answering “no” on Thursday when asked if the alleged phrase is racist.

Upper House Libertarian MP John Ruddick said if the allegations are proved to be true, then it was “textbook racism but it’s pathetic to make a big deal out of it”.

“Being aggressive towards a cop should involve a fine of some sort but I’m sick of the weaponisation of casual racism,” he said.

“Those who engage in casual racism should be socially reprimanded and perhaps ostracised … but I’m deeply uncomfortable about hauling someone to court for it.”

The Matildas star allegedly made the comment after being sick in the back of a taxi, according to The Sun.

The prosecution will allege Kerr made the comments in the early hours of January 30 last year, after police were called to the scene in Twickenham.

She had been celebrating a victory just hours earlier at Kingsmeadow Stadium where she scored three goals against Liverpool in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

If found guilty Australia’s golden girl – who has scored 99 goals in 128 matches for Chelsea – faces a fine or a maximum jail sentence of six months.

The football superstar — widely regarded as Australia’s best player — is of Indian descent through her father Roger.

NSW premier Chris Minns has weighed in on the Sam Kerr racism scandal Pictures: News Corp/Getty Images

The prosecution will allege Kerr made the comments in the early hours of January 30 last year, after police were called to the scene in Twickenham.

The football superstar — widely regarded as Australia’s best player — is of Indian descent through her father Roger.

Kerr, 30, pleaded not guilty on Monday to a charge of intentionally causing racially aggravated harassment, alarm or distress to a police officer.

She had been out celebrating a victory several hours earlier at Kingsmeadow stadium where she scored three times against Liverpool in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

She has been charged with intentionally causing racially aggravated harassment, alarm or distress to the male PC under Section 4A of the Public Order Act 1986. If found guilty Australia’s golden girl – who joined Chelsea in 2019 and has since scored 99 goals in 128 matches – faces a fine or a maximum jail sentence of six months.

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