The Australian version of the ‘Straight Choice’ franchise was launched yesterday, at electionleaflets.org.au. Somehow they have already got a flow of leaflets appearing on the site, one of which particularly caught my eye.
Australia First has distributed a leaflet in the seat of Riverina that launches a very nasty attack against African refugees, using an image that conjures up nasty American racial conflict of previous generations, and with none of the subtlety you would expect of modern dog-whistle immigration politics.
The leaflet is posted below the fold, although you are warned that it is not a pleasant document:
Consider this post the open thread for federal election discussion today:
Apart from claiming that African refugees will be “Gangsters & Drug Addled Welfare Parasites Tomorrow”, the leaflet touches on other nasty racist claims such as saying that “male sub-Saharan Africans are linked to low IQs” and that “death means little to them”, and that refugees have “no respect for the laws of the land”.
Bizarrely, despite the fact that the website claims that the leaflet was distributed on the outskirts of Wagga Wagga, it appears to focus on troubles in Western Sydney, particularly Blacktown.
I also note that the website says that the leaflet was delivered to the Greens candidate, and I know he’s a reader of this blog, so perhaps he can shed some more light on the origins of this astounding leaflet.
I am saddened and ashamed that the people who created this pamphlet live in this country. I’m wondering if they will also create a similar leaflet aimed at the locals who terrorise, steal and abuse? This again is the product of fear campaigns. Will we never grow up?
That is by far and away the worst thing I’ve ever seen in an Australian election.
Shameful. I’ve left a message for them telling them that too.
I don’t think this was delivered that recently: the uploader says she’d received it about 3 months ago.
I just uploaded another one of their business cards of hate, that turned up a while back. It didn’t say who it was from so I tweeted it then threw it away.
They also had one about 9 months ago that specifically attacked the Greens.
I prefer my racism like this. It’s much easier to identify and deride.
Liam: I dunno, the lead story on ABC News 24 tonight was pretty naff.
AF deny the leaflet is one of theirs, but who would bother producing a fake one?
The ABC reports that the Australia First party is claiming these leaflets aren’t theirs.
The Australian Elections definitely is causing a major buzz, not only here in Australia but worldwide. It sure is a battle of platform for social reform, strategies, action plans, good governance and even charisma. Australians have mixed feelings about Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott. While some thinks Julia is endearing and composed during the debate on Sunday, some think she didn’t get to the specifics. Same distribution of sentiments also go out to Tony Abbott.
What is it that Australians are looking for in their new Prime Minister? What should be focused on to determine the worthiness of the next PM? Is it their plans for climate change? Plan for controlled immigration? Focus on mental health? I’d say all of the above and much more.
I, with my team at PeopleBrowsr conducted a study on this very momentous event. It shows how people think of each candidate and their sentiments are recorded real time. Visit http://www.election.ly for this very interesting study.
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