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🇦🇺 Australia /Culture & Society

Senior Liberal rubbishes Abbott's 'failed' multiculturalism claim

From ABC Australia · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Shadow Housing Minister Andrew Bragg strongly disagrees with former Prime Minister Tony Abbott's claims that multiculturalism has failed and diversity is not a strength.
  • Mr. Abbott, who is also the Liberal Party president, made the comments in a social media video, accusing Muslim leaders of not condemning the Bondi terror attack.
  • Senator Bragg stated that Mr. Abbott's views do not represent the Liberal Party's parliamentary members and emphasized that liberalism supports multiculturalism.

Shadow Housing Minister Andrew Bragg has publicly rejected claims made by Liberal Party president and former Prime Minister Tony Abbott that multiculturalism has "failed" in Australia. Mr. Abbott, in a video posted to social media, also stated that diversity is "not a strength." He further accused Muslim leaders of prioritizing criticism of Islamophobia over condemning the Bondi terror attack, which police allege was motivated by Islamic State ideology.

He's a former prime minister, he is entitled to his views, but I strongly disagree with them.

— Andrew BraggSenator Bragg stating his disagreement with Tony Abbott's comments on multiculturalism.

Senator Bragg told ABC's Insiders program on Sunday that Mr. Abbott's comments do not reflect the views of elected Liberal members. "He's a former prime minister, he is entitled to his views, but I strongly disagree with them," Senator Bragg said. He stressed the importance of parliamentary leaders being clear about multiculturalism's place within Australia's liberal framework.

I think it's very important as leaders in the parliamentary party that we are clear on what multiculturalism is and how it fits into a liberal framework and modern Australia.

— Andrew BraggSenator Bragg explaining the importance of clarity on multiculturalism from parliamentary leaders.

Mr. Abbott was elected unopposed as Liberal Party president in May. Assistant Multicultural Affairs Minister Julian Hill had previously labeled Mr. Abbott's comments as "disgusting" and "demeaning," urging the Liberal Party to take responsibility for electing him president. Senator Bragg, however, stated he was not Mr. Abbott's spokesperson but emphasized that liberalism itself fosters multiculturalism by creating a framework for freedom of religion, thought, and conscience.

The Liberal Party today can't distance themselves from this bloke, from these Neanderthal, offensive views. They made him their president.

— Julian HillAssistant Multicultural Affairs Minister Julian Hill criticizing the Liberal Party's decision to make Tony Abbott president.

Separately, Senator Bragg also criticized comments made by One Nation leader Pauline Hanson regarding transgender rights. Ms. Hanson reportedly stated in London that Australia "can't determine who is a male and female" and that common sense has been disregarded. Senator Bragg, who has previously supported gender-affirming healthcare for transgender children, called Ms. Hanson's remarks "insane" and accused her of making life harder for minorities.

We have men and women, we have other people, and the reality is that if you want to have a free and fair society

— Andrew BraggSenator Bragg discussing gender and societal fairness in response to Pauline Hanson's comments.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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