AN “appalled” Member for Mallee Anne Webster has “disassociated” herself from comments made online by National Party colleague Matt Canavan about the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.
The Queensland senator tried to link the Taliban insurgence to a domestic debate about climate change.
“Does anyone know when the Taliban will sign up to net zero?” Senator Canavan tweeted on Monday as Afghanistan’s capital city, Kabul, fell to the terrorist group.
It was widely condemned by colleagues Dr Webster, former Nationals leader Michael McCormack and Victorian MP Darren Chester.
Dr Webster said she was “appalled” by the statement, which remained online despite the backlash.
“Afghanistan is under siege. People are afraid and losing their lives,” she wrote in the reply tweet.
“Australian soldiers have lost their lives to protect this nation.
“I absolutely disassociate myself from this comment.”
Mr McCormack said it was “disappointing, insensitive and unnecessary”.
“To compare climate policy with the bloodshed on the streets of Kabul is out of place and unworthy of a member of the Australian parliament.”
Senator Canavan defended his position, telling NCA NewsWire that Australia’s priorities were “misplaced”.
“We continue to distract ourselves with first world problems while the larger issue of our national security goes ignored,” he said.
“We need to redevelop our manufacturing and industrial strength, not try to save the planet or bring democracy to countries that it doesn’t suit.”
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