AFP to take no action over MP gun photo

THE AFP will take no action against Nationals MP George Christensen regarding a controversial gun picture he posted on Facebook last month.

THE AFP will take no action against Nationals MP George Christensen regarding a controversial gun picture he posted on Facebook last month.

The office of Senator Richard Di Natale contacted the AFP on February 18 regarding the post.

In the picture Mr Christensen is seen pointing a gun alongside the comment: “You gotta ask yourself, do you feel lucky, greenie punks?”.

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Mr Christensen said the post was a joke that had left the Greens “wringing their hands and crying”.

He said he saw no problem with it, but took it down because then acting Nationals leader Nigel Scullion asked him to. “I will not be moralised to by the Greens about putting a joke on Facebook,’’ he said last month.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said the post was “very inappropriate”.

Photo from George Christensen MP's Facebook page of him shooting a handgun.

Senator Di Natale said Mr Christensen was giving licence to people to behave in a violent way towards others with a different view. “It’s disgraceful, irresponsible, it’s shameful,” he said.

Investigators from the AFP have looked at the matter and didn’t feel it warranted further action.

“The Australian Federal Police (AFP) can confirm it received a referral from the office of Senator Richard Di Natale on 18 February 2018 relating to a social media post regarding George Christensen MP,” an AFP spokeswoman said.

“The AFP has undertaken an assessment of this matter and determined that no further action will be taken.

“The AFP has advised the office of Senator Richard Di Natale of this decision.

“The AFP will be making no further comment in respect of the matter.”

@davidhurleyHS

Originally published as AFP to take no action over MP gun photo