Dreyfus in doghouse as Labor colleagues condemn bid to refer Frydenberg
Deputy opposition leader Tanya Plibersek doesn’t want to talk about Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg’s citizenship. Western Sydney University, last Sunday:
These people (Frydenberg’s family), like many millions, fled the Holocaust … I think we’re actually getting into pretty disturbing territory now.
Anthony Albanese also would like to put Frydenberg’s citizenship issues to one side. Bill Shorten’s Labor leadership rival on Sky News, November 8:
The idea that someone would be targeted, of that background, a refugee, escaping the Holocaust of the fascists in World War II and the consequences that occurred there. I have every sympathy, let me say this, with Josh Frydenberg and his circumstances.
But Labor’s Mark Dreyfus just doesn’t give the slightest damn what all y’all think. Sky News, Wednesday:
Kieran Gilbert: Among those, you’re talking about Jason Falinski and Josh Frydenberg, whose ancestors fled the Nazis and arrived here stateless.
Dreyfus: Yes, and it’s not a matter of the reason why people have got particular citizenships, Kieran. This is the problem, and that’s why the High Court made it clear.
Get beat, Albo and Tanya. Dreyfus runs this show now. The opposition legal affairs spokesman in Canberra, Wednesday:
Gilbert: Plibersek last month said “I think we’re actually getting into pretty disturbing territory” … But yet you’re doing it this morning?
Dreyfus: It’s a matter of the Constitution of Australia. I’m simply making the point that the High Court decisions need to be applied.
Opposition spokesman for the digital economy Ed Husic also would rather his party didn’t pursue MPs whose parents were displaced by the Holocaust, Sky News, Wednesday:
If we get to the point where we’re pursuing people who were stateless and escaping one of the most horrific episodes in modern history, well I’d be interested to see how far we do pursue this …
Dreyfus slaps Husic in the mother-lovin’ face for questioning him. The opposition legal affairs spokesman speaking to the press in Canberra, Wednesday:
It’s not a matter for Ed Husic to make a decision on this matter.
The Opposition Leader yanks the microphone before Dreyfus says anything else stupid. Shorten in Canberra, seconds after Dreyfus:
I think that his family are remarkable and I think that he’s a pretty good fellow actually …
“Going after Frydenberg is shameful? Hold my drink” — Dreyfus in Canberra, Wednesday:
I’m happy to list them (the Liberal MPs he’s targeting) again … Arthur Sinodinos …
Yes, that Arthur Sinodinos. The Australian online, October 6:
Malcolm Turnbull says cabinet minister Arthur Sinodinos is doing well, despite being treated for cancer.
He said Labor had no citizenship problems, attacked his own colleagues in public and has shown no class. Is Dreyfus the right man to be shadow attorney-general? Dreyfus on Sky News, Wednesday:
Gilbert: It looks like the reassurances given to Bill Shorten on these MPs were misplaced — you’d concede that, would you now?
Dreyfus: I don’t think that’s right Kieran …