Kerryn Phelps targeted by ‘racist, homophobic’ email campaign
Image: Dr Kerryn Phelps. Image: Australian Marriage Equality.
Offensive emails containing false claims about independent Wentworth MP have been referred to authorities for investigation ahead of the federal election.
The emails reportedly contain homophobic and racist content, along with claims that Phelps is ineligible to sit in parliament, according to .
鈥淚t鈥檚 homophobic, anti-Semitic, racist and just generally pretty disgusting,鈥� said Phelps.
鈥淲e鈥檝e asked the [Australian Federal Police] to look into it again. They couldn鈥檛 get to the bottom of the last one. This one is a step up in terms of content from the previous one.鈥�
A representative for Phelps added that the claims in the emails are 鈥渦tterly false and offensive鈥�.
Liberal candidate Dave Sharma called the emails 鈥渞idiculous鈥� and 鈥減aranoid鈥�, while criticising their anti-minority content.
鈥淭hey feel kind of like white nationalist dog whistling attacking all sorts of minorities. I don鈥檛 know who鈥檚 responsible for them,鈥� Sharma said.
鈥淚t鈥檚 unfortunate it exists. We should report them to the police but we shouldn鈥檛 give these people more oxygen than they deserve. It鈥檚 what they want鈥攁 platform.鈥�
Phelps yesterday wrote to the Australian Federal Police requesting an update on their investigation, concerned about potential impact on the upcoming election, reported.
鈥淭he content of the emails is very disturbing,鈥� she wrote.
鈥淭he emails equate to an incitement to hatred and we all know what the consequences of that can be. Whichever individual or group is responsible is trying to influence the outcome of an election and I think they should be investigated and brought to justice.
鈥淚 remain frustrated that the investigation appears to have stalled and politely request that the AFP step up its efforts with election day fast approaching.鈥�
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What’s going on with this country? A stupid footballer deliberately makes provocative and judgemental social media posts and it takes months for the football association to decide what to do.
An openly gay politician gets homophobic hate mail and the police are powerless and clueless.
Seems like you can say or do anything against gay people and it’s not a problem, but it’s alright mate, just chill.. we’re all friends and just quoting scripture at each other.. and that’s call free speech and religious freedom and too bad for the gays!