Following a dramatic outburst against Fairfax political correspondent Caroline Wilson, there have been calls for Minister for Immigration Eddie McGuire to stand aside from his role in Government.
However, Prime Minister Gillon McLachlan leapt to the defence of his Minister, saying that it was a casual misunderstanding and an apology should suffice.
“Look, every now and then busy people make mistakes. ”
“Eddie is a hard-working Immigration Minister and I am proud to have him in my Government.
“He has stopped the drownings, he has also been instrumental in trying to reduce the migration levels to Western Sydney.
“He is part of a successful Government that has repealed the COLA, stopped the falafels and ensured we maintain a surplus,” McLachlan said.
It is not the first time Minister McGuire has courted controversy.
Previously, he has been involved in issues pertaining to welfare, racism, domestic violence, homophobia, and commentary on work incentives to struggling Sydney and Brisbane.
Minister McGuire was unperturbed by the dramas from last week.
“I will stand by my record of achievement in this Government.”
“Seriously, we have moved into a 21st century economy and do you really think Centrelink could continue to carry Brisbane and Sydney?
“It’s about time they worked for the dole. It is a shame we see working-class Melbournians having to pay their share of tax and watch these other places get off free.
“I continue to show that I can work in 17 industries in this country and not be impacted by conflict of interest. I really should be called the Minister for Everywhere.”
PM McLachlan laughed off the latest statement.
“Look, in modern Australia, it is not about a boys’ club mentality anymore. Eddie has apologised, and I could only wish that others, like the AFL, follow our lead to recognise the importance of these issues facing us today.”
“It’s only by real action can we seek to change our country for the better.”
Patrick Effeney
Editor
You're probably right, but figured letting people know the rationale is better than just leaving everyone confused (and maybe even angry).
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
That's reasonable Patrick. I think the comment was more so directed at all in sundry from the peanut gallery who felt compelled to write an article on something that's already receiving mass media saturation, and basically almost all conveying the same message.
Patrick Effeney
Editor
We get a lot more submissions during times like these than we actually publish. We could have published more that we received, but we tend to be a little more picky during times like these. Think about it this way, if people take the time to write a piece for us, we generally publish it if it meets the required standards. At times like this we're conscious of overloading it, but if someone take the time to write it for us, we have to give them the respect they earned. So it's more complicated than if we were writing all these stories ourselves in the office - put it that way. No one in our office has had to write one story!
JohnDee
Guest
Well aware of that mate, doesn't mean the topic hasn't been done to death over the past few days! I get that it's an issue, and I get that it's football related because the personalities involved are football personalities, but this is one of the best seasons of AFL in a long long time, let's focus on the game!
Lewis
Guest
Lighten up, it's a pi55 take matey.
Cat
Roar Guru
As long is they continue to generate comments, hits and views, the roar will put them up.
JohnDee
Guest
Does the Roar have a virus or something? These articles just don't appear to stop, maybe they should get the IT team involved. Do you use Avast or Norton? This is the 5th one today, please, no more! All this over a few offensive comments that may or may not have had malice behind them... Watch out should one of these guys actually do something illegal, I think the site may explode.
andyl12
Guest
http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/eddie-mcguire-and-caroline-wilson-has-nothing-changed-in-35-years-20160620-gpnjt3.html Like the article says- he needs to keep away from some people.