David Southwick concerned about One Nation meeting
Victorian State Member of Parliament David Southwick has concerned that the upcoming event to be addressed by One Nation Senators Pauline Hanson and Malcolm Roberts will pose as security risk for the community.
David Southwick
The meeting has been arranged for next month at the IDF Training gym owned by organiser Avi Yemini within the Liberal MP Southwick’s electorate of Caulfield after Yemini had been told by the local Glen Eira Council that it was unable to offer a suitable venue for the date of the meeting. Yemini is behind the organiser behind The Independent Jewish Council of Australia hosting Senators Hanson and Roberts.
In a Facebook post yesterday, Southwick wrote: “As the Jewish community would now be well aware, the newly formed Independent Jewish Council of Australia has organised to host One Nation party Senators at an event on 4 December.
I, along with many members of the Jewish community, condemn the xenophobic views held by One Nation. Victoria is home to a strong and diverse multicultural community and is the envy of many others around the world of how we embrace our ethnically diverse communities , and I believe there is no place for stirring up hate – especially for political gain.
Almost 20 years ago, while I ran my cosmetics business, I took a strong public stand through the media against Pauline Hanson and spoke out against the damage her views had to both the community and to our country’s reputation and trade relationships.
Whilst I strongly disagree with the views held by One Nation and would prefer if the event did not take place, elected representatives should be allowed to discuss their views in a democracy.
I do, however, have security concerns about the event taking place. The safety of our community is paramount, which is why I am liaising with Victoria Police and other various bodies to ensure there is substantial measures in place to uphold the community’s wellbeing and safety.
This issue should be above party politics and I am happy to work with all political and community leaders to ensure the security of the Jewish community and the residents of Caulfield is put first.”
Victorian Labor MP Philip Dalidakis has criticised David Southwick saying: “Since his friend Avi Yemini’s disgraceful moves to welcome One Nation Senators Pauline Hanson and Malcolm Roberts to address the Jewish Community under his newly invented ‘Independent Council of Jewish Australians’ Mr Southwick has refused to repudiate his friendship and to unequivocally condemn Mr Yemini’s appalling lack of judgement.”
