Liberal MP Bernie Finn under fire over Chinese rocket meme posted on Facebook

A Liberal MP has caused outrage over after posting a controversial meme on Facebook, with one person saying he should be ashamed.

Victorian Liberal MP Bernie Finn has come under fire for a meme posted on Facebook at the weekend. Picture: Bernie Finn MP/Facebook

Victorian Liberal MP Bernie Finn has come under fire for posting a “joke” about a Chinese rocket falling on a number of media personalities and politicians, as well as the national broadcaster.

Mr Finn posted the meme to his political Facebook account on Mother’s Day, which asked the question ‘where should the Chinese rocket land?” and included the pictures of Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews, Greens senator Lidia Thorpe, prominent media personality and lawyer Waleed Aly and a logo of the ABC.

“Question of the day,” Mr Finn wrote.

“For the benefit of humourless left-wing tossers, this is a joke.”

Directly below the post, which remains on his page, he commented: “It must be a dreadful existence to be a humourless left-wing tosser.”

Liberal MP Bernie Finn appears to have removed the controversial post. Picture: Facebook

While the post garnered some supportive comments from his followers, others called the meme insensitive.

About 1pm on Monday it appeared that Mr Finn had taken the meme down from his Facebook page.

“There are no statesmen in the Liberal Party. This is unbecoming of a Federal MP. You should be ashamed of yourself,” wrote one user.

“You’re an MP? Not vaguely funny therefore NOT a joke. And for all those laughing with you, you should all be ashamed. What have you gained out of this? What has happened to human decency and kindness?” said Kathryn Catterick.

It’s not the first time the Victorian Liberal MP has landed in hot water due to his social media posts. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

On Twitter, well-known media personalities and activists chimed in, including ABC investigative reporter Louise Milligan.

“We have on several occasions had very productive, professional discussions about autism – given your portfolio and our shared parenthood of ASD boys,” Milligan wrote.

“That you would joke about bombing my place of work, shared with hardworking, diligent, decent journalists, floors me.”

It is also surprising that you, a publicly-elected representative, would keep up replies on your Facebook page to your *joke* that refer to Victoria’s first indigenous Senator as a “try-hard aboriginal” or to a much-loved Australian as a “puffer fish with the big mouth”.

— Louise Milligan (@Milliganreports) May 9, 2021

Executive director of change.org Sally Rug called for Mr Finn’s resignation.

“Der! It’s a JOKE about blowing up an Aboriginal woman, a Muslim man, the bed-bound guy with a broken back and the broadcaster currently focused on exposing powerful men’s violence against women!” Rugg posted on Twitter.

“Bernie Finn should resign.”

Der! It’s a JOKE about blowing up an Aboriginal woman, a Muslim man, the bed-bound guy with a broken back and the broadcaster currently focussed on exposing powerful men’s violence against women! HAHA GET IT!? THE FUNNY BIT IS BLOWING THEM UP!!!

Bernie Finn should resign. pic.twitter.com/l5p9cAP7pP

— Sally Rugg (@sallyrugg) May 9, 2021

Speaking to reporters on Monday morning, Victorian transport Minister Jacinta Allan said Liberal Leader Michael O’Brien needed to reel in Mr Finn’s behaviour, but suggested he wouldn’t because he needed his vote.

“He needs to put some steel in his spine,” Ms Allan said.

It‘s not the first time Mr Finn has sparked controversy by sharing content on social media, which has included posting false pro-Donald Trump conspiracy theories on Facebook and controversial comments about riots at the US Capitol earlier this year.

Some senior Victorian Liberals previously said Mr O’Brien’s political standing was being damaged because of his refusal to rebuke Mr Finn.

Finn courted controversy in November last year for sharing an ablest meme despite being the Shadow Assistant Minister Autism.

The Victorian Opposition has been contacted for comment.