MEDIA RELEASE: 13th SEPTEMBER 2019
ANIMAL JUSTICE PARTY MP CONFRONTS DEPUTY PREMIER ABOUT COMMENTS TOWARDS VEGAN ACTIVISTS
Today at the Budget Estimate Hearings in NSW Parliament, Animal Justice Party MP Emma Hurst blasted Deputy Premier John Barilaro on his labelling of animal advocates as “domestic terrorists."
Ms Hurst asked the Deputy Premier “Do you not think that that is offensive to people who are genuinely the victims of terrorist acts? We’ve had a terrorist act recently in New Zealand with extreme violence, with people who have had family members killed. When you water down that term to refer to somebody who wants to protect animals, do you not realise how offensive that is?”
A furious Mr Barilaro said he stood by his comments.
Please see below a statement from Emma Hurst MLC on the Deputy Premier’s remarks:
“The word terrorism is being bulldozed by the government to push a political agenda. It's being used against those who fight against the unjust and cruel treatment of animals.
“The Deputy Premier should be held to account for misusing this word. It's offensive to the victims of real acts of terrorism, and completely ignores growing community concern about the treatment of animals in the intensive animal agribusiness industry.”
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