Tasmanian Labor Senator Helen Polley removes Black Lives Matter related post

The senator has apologised for any offence caused by a social media post amid Black Lives Matter action across the world, commemorating the death of U.S. man George Floyd in police custody.

Shadow disability minister Bill Shorten and Senator for Tasmania Helen Polley at St Giles in Launceston discussing Tasmania's disability services and the NDIS. Picture: PATRICK GEE

A TASMANIAN Labor Senator has apologised for any offence cause by a social media post relating to the Black Lives Matter movement.

On her personal Facebook page, Senator Helen Polley reposted a post saying “Instead of black lives matter, how about every life matters, no matter what the colour of your skin is”.

However “all lives matter” slogans are widely viewed as being racist for minimising the injustices faced by African-Americans and Aboriginal Australians.

The Right faction Senator’s post drew the ire of former Tasmanian Labor Premier David Bartlett, who lashed Senator Polley on Twitter.

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“This is completely unacceptable for a representative of the Australian Labor Party #shame” Mr Bartlett tweeted.

He went on: “I politely ask that you educate yourself – you (sic) tweet is a serious embarrassment to all of us in the Labor party. It is Hanson lite. It is tin-eared and a classic dog whistle. Remove it.”

Senator Polley removed the post, saying she had been “careless”.

“I apologise for carelessly reposting a post which was insensitive to #Blacklivesmatter. I have always stood against racism.”