• Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Entertainment
  • Local History
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • About Us
  • Subscribe
  • Read Our Newspapers Online
    • Read the Latest Western Port News
    • Read the Latest Mornington News
    • Read the Latest Southern Peninsula News
    • Read the Latest Frankston Times
    • Read the Latest Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News
  • Competition
Facebook Twitter Instagram
Trending
  • Riding a wave for therapy
  • Fisher to take over at Baxter
  • Hunter finds success with Thronum progeny
  • Stonecats continue their dominance, Langwarrin first-quarter blitz sets up win
  • Railway Commissioners’ visit to the peninsula
  • Jetty repair in the budget pipeline
  • Bus shelters vandalised
  • Cars stolen after break-ins
Facebook Twitter
MPNEWSMPNEWS
  • Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Entertainment
  • Local History
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • About Us
  • Subscribe
  • Competition
MPNEWSMPNEWS
Home»Latest News»MP’s plan for senator’s ‘compassion’ lesson
Latest News

MP’s plan for senator’s ‘compassion’ lesson

By Stephen TaylorMarch 25, 2019Updated:March 25, 2019No Comments3 Mins Read
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

Nepean MP Chris Brayne has suggested Senator Fraser Anning be sent to Indonesia “where, hopefully he might learn some compassion, empathy and, just maybe, come back less ignorant”.

Mr Brayne was speaking in state parliament last week after the New Zealand terrorist attacks in which 50 Muslims praying at two Christchurch mosques were shot dead and dozens wounded, Friday 15 March.

Senator Anning, a former One Nation and Katter Australia Party MP, later linked the shootings to immigration and called for a ban on Muslim immigration. He was controversially “egged” by a 17-year-old student when making his comments and a petition calling for his removal from parliament attracted 1.3 million signatures.

Mr Brayne said his first experience with people of Islamic faith was when he went to Indonesia in high school as an exchange student. 

“Prior to leaving, my friends were concerned about my safety,” he said. “So much terrorism in Indonesia, they told me. A lot of Muslims, they warned. And I was going to be living with a Muslim family in the world’s largest Muslim majority democracy. 

“Even the Smart Traveller website had warned travellers to ‘exercise a high degree of caution’. I started to worry about going there.”

When he arrived it turned out the fears were ill-informed. “The moment I met my Indonesian host family I could not have been put more at ease,” he said. 

“[They] were beautiful people. My host brother Wawan was full of energy and probably one of the most unintentionally hilarious people I have met. His younger brother, Riski, was an absolute pain in the neck, and Shafa, their three-year old sister, had the most gorgeous smile. 

“This was a normal, caring family, and they cared about me and they cared about my country. [They] only wanted to provide for me while I was there. No ask was too much, no dinner request too outlandish, no question too offensive. They wanted me to leave happy about my time in Indonesia, educated about their faith and hopeful that I would return.”

Mr Brayne said the false concept of “other” – with people of Islamic faith representing the “other” – was false. 

“As parliamentarians we owe the public a constant vigilance against misinformation about our communities,” he said. “When we breed misinformation, resentment and doubt it results in real consequences.

“But when we immerse ourselves in difference, the product is an aware, less ignorant and, ultimately, more peaceful country. 

“This is why Australia should send Senator Fraser Anning to Indonesia where, hopefully, he might learn some compassion, some empathy and maybe, just maybe, come back less ignorant. 

“Indeed, all of us should make regular efforts to get out into our different communities to refresh ourselves about how great humanity is, no matter the faith or background. 

“I pay my respects to those who have been selfishly taken in this horrific way.”

First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 26 March 2019

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email

Related Posts

Shire ‘no’ to Esso’s bid for power

June 27, 2022

Call for panel to consider future of green wedge

June 27, 2022

Waste not wanted – ‘report dumpers’

June 27, 2022

Building fire risk ‘update’ by August

June 27, 2022
Add A Comment

Comments are closed.

Weather
Jun 30, 2022 - Thu
Mornington, Australia
7°C
scattered clouds
scattered clouds
0 m/s, SE
72%
770.32 mmHg
thu06/30 fri07/01 sat07/02 sun07/03 mon07/04
light rain
10/8°C
overcast clouds
11/11°C
overcast clouds
11/10°C
scattered clouds
12/9°C
sky is clear
13/10°C
Peninsula Essence Magazine

Click here to read

June 27, 2022
Peninsula Kids Magazine

Click here to read

May 26, 2022
Council Watch

Keeping watch on councillor costs

June 27, 2022

Leadership lacking for ‘neutral’ policy

June 20, 2022
Interview

Awards help call Australia home

June 20, 2022
Property of the Week

278 Dundas Street, Rye

May 11, 2022
100 Years Ago This Week

Railway Commissioners’ visit to the peninsula

June 28, 2022
Contact
Street: 63 Watt Road, Mornington, 3931
Mailing: PO Box 588, Hastings, 3915
Menu
  • Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Entertainment
  • Local History
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • About Us
  • Subscribe
  • Competition
About

Established in 2006, Mornington Peninsula News Group (MPNG) is a locally owned and operated, independent media company.

MPNG publishes five weekly community newspapers: the Western Port News, Mornington News, Southern Peninsula News, Frankston Times and Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News.

MPNG also publishes two glossy magazines: Peninsula Essence and Peninsula Kids.

Facebook Twitter
© 2022 Mornington Peninsula News Group.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.