MEMBER for Mallee Anne Webster says freedom of speech comes with responsibilities, following comments by a National Party colleague on a US television talk show.
Speaking to local ABC radio on Wednesday morning, Dr Webster said comments by Nationals Member for Dawson George Christensen calling for protests outside Australian embassies were “delusional” and “an appalling representation of Australia”.
Mr Christensen called for protests at Australian embassies over pandemic restrictions during a recent appearance on InfoWars with conspiracy theorist Alex Jones.
While Dr Webster had said she would join a peaceful protest about pandemic laws in Melbourne, she said Mr Christensen’s comments were a “whole new ball game”.
“We’ve all got a right to say whatever we like but there’s a responsibility that we have as MPs to be considerate,” Dr Webster said.
“The point about democracy is that people are elected. I think sometimes you can skate on thin ice though.”
When asked if Mr Christensen was somebody she would like to see in the broad church of The Nationals, Dr Webster said would wait to see how the Liberal National Party in Queensland responded.
Nationals deputy leader David Littleproud said in a tweet that he had spoken to Mr Christensen about “his judgment going on the show”.
“Some of my comments he agreed with and he understands both my position and the views of the party room,” Mr Littleproud said.
Dr Webster said the “alignment” between Mr Christensen and Mr Jones was not good, and that it was not a good time to be “feeding people on the edge rubbish”.
“That just causes them more doubt. Ultimately, it’s about eroding trust in the political system, in the government we have.
“One of my dear wishes is that we have a higher elevation of what government does.”
