Labor MP Steve Dimopoulos calls out vile online abuse in expletive-riddled speech to parliament

Labor MP Steve Dimopoulos has been forced to apologise for dropping the f-bomb and other expletives in an emotional speech to state parliament. Here’s why he did it.

A State MP has been forced to apologise for dropping the f-bomb and other expletives in parliament as he condemned social media trolls.

Oakleigh MP Steve Dimopoulos yesterday recited abuse he, Premier Daniel Andrews and Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan received online, including references to them being “taken out” or “6 foot under”.

But he fell foul of parliamentary rules when he read aloud a barrage of abuse that included “f***” and “unwashed c***”.

After being chastised by Speaker Colin Brooks for “unparliamentary language”, Mr Dimopoulos apologised for the “offensive content”.

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Oakleigh MP Steve Dimopoulos called out online trolls. Picture: Supplied

“It is offensive to me when I receive it and to other people when they receive it,” Mr Dimopoulos said.

“I acknowledge it was offensive to the chamber, and I am sorry.”

In the wake of the Christchurch terror attack and vilification of AFLW star Tayla Harris, social media networks are under increasing pressure to stamp out abusive comments and threats.

Mr Dimopoulos said a number of Victorian MPs had received deaths threats, with police cautioning people “countless times” over their online abuse of members of parliament.

He said he had been followed, secretly photographed with the pictures posted online and had been subject to title searches that could reveal his home address.

Premier Daniel Andrews and Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan have been subject to online abuse. Picture: AAP/Julian Smith

“I wrote this speech weeks ago, and if we need no other reminder about where this can lead to than what happened in Christchurch in New Zealand last week, then I would be stunned,” Mr Dimopoulos said.

“But on social media, particularly Facebook and Twitter, it is very difficult for action to be taken let alone to get redress.

“When a threat is reported to a major social media company, the onus should be on them

to caution or remove the user, and the threats must be reported to authorities.”

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