The Bend Motorsport managing director Sam Shahin blasts public holiday for Queen’s death

Sam Shahin has condemned a public holiday for the Queen’s death, saying he’d prefer one to mourn fallen soldiers.

Dr Sam Shahin has condemned the national public holiday to mourn the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

Dr Shahin took to Twitter to express his feelings about Prime Minister Anthony Albanese declaring the public holiday, labelling it “symbolism gone mad”.

Dr Sam Shahin. Picture: Russell Millard

He instead called for a national day of mourning for battleground heroes who died defending their nation and freedom – a call that immediately sparked responses from people reminding him of Anzac Day.

“I mourn the senseless loss of life anywhere in the world,” he tweeted.

“I mourn Aussies that die in battle, martyrs defending their country and freedom, unsung heroes rarely acknowledged. I’d take a public holiday to mourn THEM on September 22.”

Dr Shahin then added three hashtags: #hippocracy #symbolismgonemad and #seriouslyWTF.

The online Urban Dictionary defines hippocracy as: “What democracy turns into when all of the politicians in your country are hippos.”

Dr Shahin is managing director of The Bend Motorsport Park.

I mourn the senseless loss of life anywhere in the world.  I mourn Aussies that die in battle, martyrs defending their country and freedom, unsung heroes rarely acknowledged.  I’d take a public holiday to mourn THEM on Sept 22nd #hippocracy#symbolismgonemad#seriouslyWTFpic.twitter.com/eKrcKUnEyQ

— Sam Shahin (@samshahin_) September 11, 2022

Responses on social media were less than impressed by Dr Shahin’s views.

Kelz bluntly replied: “U not heard of Anzac Day?”

Richard Bailey noted: “We have already got a public holiday for that … Anzac Day. I’m by no means a royalist but she is our head of state. You’re not showing much in the way of class there Sam. I reckon you can do better.”

The Queen’s death is sad; every life lost is.  All human life is equal though.  We reflect on a life lost anywhere, whether in Ukraine’s war, Pakistan’s floods, Palestine’s apartheid or Afghanistan’s earthquake.  No life is worth more than another #queen#humanrights#weareequal

— Sam Shahin (@samshahin_) September 9, 2022

On Friday when the Queen’s death was announced Dr Shahin likened it to lives lost in “Palestine’s apartheid.”

“The Queen’s death is sad; every life lost is. All human life is equal though. We reflect on a life lost anywhere whether in Ukraine’s war, Pakistan’s floods, Palestine’s apartheid or Afghanistan’s earthquake. No life is worth more than another.”

Dr Shahin has been contacted for comment.

Originally published as The Bend Motorsport managing director Sam Shahin blasts public holiday for Queen’s death