NSW election: Premier Dominic Perrottet slams Lib volunteer’s racist slurs

Premier Dominic Perrottet has slammed the racist remarks of a Liberal volunteer at a polling station, who called an Indigenous firefighter an “Abo”. See the latest.

A picture of Camden Public School pollying station. Picture: AAP

The premier has labelled an incident of racism at a Camden polling booth “unacceptable” and “second rate”, disclosing the volunteer has now been sent home from the polling station.

Speaking in Camden on Tuesday, Premier Dominic Perrottet said he had “zero tolerance” for racist behaviour after it was revealed a Liberal volunteer for MP Peter Sidgreaves apologised after calling an Indigenous firefighter a “little Abo” at a pre-poll station over the weekend.

The volunteer can be revealed as John Smith, a Liberal Camden branch member, who has since apologised.

“That type of behaviour is not acceptable, whether at the polling station or anywhere in society,” Mr Perrottet said.

“I’ve made it clear to our volunteers – it’s (campaigning and leafleting) is a great part of our democracy, but please do so with respect and tolerance to people.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet called the behaviour “unacceptable”. Picture: Gaye Gerard

“That behaviour has no place in our state.”

Mr Smith confirmed the comments were made and “unreservedly apologised”. The matter was referred to the NSW Electoral Commission. No charges were laid over the incident.

On Saturday, the first day of pre-poll at the Oxley St polling station in Camden, which serves both the Wollondilly and Camden electorates, the Indigenous firefighter was called an “Abo” by Liberal volunteer Mr Smith, who was leafleting for Camden MP Peter Sidgreaves.

A number of witnesses saw the incident and independent Wollondilly candidate Judith Hannan called out the racism, as well as Fire Brigade Employees’ Union of NSW secretary Leighton Drury.

Liberal volunteer John Smith at a polling station in Camden.

The firefighter was called an “Abo” by a Liberal volunteer.

In a statement written by the victim and seen by NewsLocal, the firefighter – who was at the polling station leafleting on behalf of FBEU – described how he was confronted by an “older Liberal volunteer”.

“Throughout these discussions he (the volunteer) informed me that he likes to joke around with other volunteers and work them up,” the firefighter said.

“He later asked what nationality I was, and I informed him I was Aboriginal – to which he replied: ‘oh, you’re an Abo’.”

The firey said he was then asked whether he “identified as Aussie or Abo” and, when the volunteer was told he was being offensive, then replied: “well, if I can’t call you an Abo, what can I call you?”

Fire Brigade Employees Union State Secretary Leighton Drury slammed the abuse. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

The firefighter said the volunteer then called him a “little Abo” before, when confronted, saying “but Wogs call each other Wogs”.

Fire Brigade Employees Union State Secretary Leighton Drury blasted the comments towards one of the union’s members and urged local members Mr Sidgreaves and Wollondilly MP Nathaniel Smith to call out the behaviour.

“No person should suffer this form of abuse but for a professional firefighter to receive it while campaigning for better community safety is disgusting,” he said.

Independent Judith Hannan called for the volunteer to be taken off pre-polling. Picture: AAP

Ms Hannan said it was “disappointing and disrespectful” and called on the Liberals to remove the individual from assisting with the campaign.

One of the witnesses who confirmed the incident told NewsLocal she initially thought she misheard because she was “so gobsmacked by what was said”.

The volunteer was contacted and “unreservedly apologised”.

“I understand and accept the offence and hurt that it has caused,” he said.

“Having recognised the impact of my words, I will not use such language in the future.”

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