Coronavirus Australia: Labor slams Coalition MP Craig Kelly for spreading coronavirus misinformation
Parliament has resumed for the year, and a Coalition backbencher has been slammed for spreading coronavirus conspiracy theories online.
Labor’s bid to denounce Coalition backbencher Craig Kelly for using social media to spread “damaging mistruths” about coronavirus in the parliament has failed.
The opposition kicked off the federal parliamentary sitting year by trying to move a motion calling on Prime Minister Scott Morrison to condemn Mr Kelly’s “irresponsible and dangerous” comments.
The move follows Mr Kelly doing a 90-minute chat with controversial conspiracy theorist and chef, Pete Evans.
“The member for Hughes is a dangerous menace to the national COVID-19 response,” Labor health spokesman Mark Butler told the parliament.
The motion stated Mr Kelly’s claims about coronavirus were “repeatedly refuted” by health experts and could undermine public confidence in the vaccine rollout.
It also attacked Mr Morrison for not condemning the online behaviour after he was asked about it during his speech at the National Press Club on Monday.
But the motion was quickly shut down by the government, which holds a majority in the lower house.
In the wake of Mr Evans’s podcast featuring Mr Kelly, Royal Australian College of General Practitioners president Dr Karen Price has urged Australians to listen to the advice from medical experts.
“It is unacceptable that Craig Kelly is persisting in disseminating misinformation concerning COVID-19, and to appear on this podcast with a disgraced former celebrity chef is very unhelpful,” Dr Price said.
“We are still in the middle of a pandemic that is leaving many people feeling understandably anxious and exhausted.
“Those like Pete Evans are preying on that anxiety to peddle false information, and he should not be enabled by anyone, especially a federal member of parliament.”
Dr Price has demanded that all public figures act responsibly and encourage Australians to heed expert advice.
Mr Kelly has been contacted for comment.
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