2021-02-18
The Victorian Greens have called on Opposition Leader Michael O’Brien to immediately cut any ties his party might have to right-wing nationalist groups like Reignite Democracy Australia (RDA).
Overnight three of his members – Bernie Finn, Richard Riordan and Bev McArthur – spoke at an online event organised by RDA. In the meeting Finn reportedly claimed that the recent ‘circuit breaker’ lockdown in Victoria was “not about a virus”.
The Greens say that by deliberately spouting the same misinformation RDA has for months, the Liberals were legitimising the growing crop of right-wing nationalist groups around the state.
Leader of the Victorian Greens, Samantha Ratnam, said using Trump-style politics to whip up hysteria and fear among the community was negligent at best and called for O’Brien to rein in his rogue members.
She added that at a time when Victorians were in need of up-to-date, factual information on the COVID-19 pandemic, any attempts to mislead the public needed to be shut down.
Quotes attributable to Leader of the Victorian Greens, Samantha Ratnam MLC:
“The Liberals are using Trump-style politics to whip up hysteria at a time when Victorians are in desperate need of up-to-date and factual information about this virus.
“The Opposition Leader needs to rein in his rogue members and cut any ties to right-wing nationalist groups immediately.
“Regurgitating the same misinformation as these groups only legitimises them. It’s nothing short of abhorrent.”