A Labor senator has called for Prime Minister Scott Morrison to “root out the extremists” after a Young LNP leader was filmed laughing at demands Australia “stop celebrating a culture that couldn’t even invent the bloody wheel”.
In footage posted on social media Barclay McGain – the chair of the Gold Coast Young LNP – interviews schoolies revellers about whether the Australian flag and anthem should be “kept or ditched”.
He is seen laughing when one school leaver says: “I’m fed up with having all these sports stars stand out on our stages and not sing the national anthem … I mean we’ve got to stop celebrating a culture that couldn’t even invent the bloody wheel for God’s sake. We’ve got to start enjoying and living in Western culture.”
The young school leaver who made the comments has been identified as LNP volunteer Jake Scott who’s regularly been photographed with senior LNP and Coalition figures.
The footage was posted on the Gold Coast Young LNP’s Facebook page but was removed when the LNP became aware of it yesterday afternoon.
“The members involved will be subject to the LNP’s internal disciplinary process,” the party said in a statement, adding the material did not reflect the LNP’s values and beliefs.
The scandal has spread to the federal political arena amid calls for Prime Minister Scott Morrison to “root out the extremists”.
Queensland LNP leader Deb Frecklington refused to be drawn on the scandal, sticking closely to her message.
“It is inappropriate, the party is doing the right thing and taking action,” she told reporters, repeating herself five times.
State Labor’s indigenous Environment Minister Leeanne Enoch says the opposition must condemn young LNP members over the “disturbing” and racist comments about Australian Aboriginal culture.
“These kinds of views should not be allowed to simmer within any organisation. It’s disturbing on many levels.”
Tourism Minister Kate Jones said the LNP “being outwardly racist” was a major risk for the Gold Coast as an international tourism destination.
“Deb Frecklington needs to show some leadership and hold the young men in this video to account … I’m calling on her to sack Gold Coast Young LNP chair Barclay McGain.”
Mr McGain said he had been banned him from commenting about the incident.
“It has been a whirlwind 24 hours but hopefully I can go back to being a normal 19-year-old. I just have to let it go and move on,” he said.
Mr McGain will learn whether or not he will be suspended from the party this afternoon.
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