MEMBER for Hawkesbury Dominic Perrottet has called an article which lamented the fact the Manchester terrorist attacks did not happen in ABC studio as ‘abhorrent’.
After the Manchester terrorist attacks, an article appeared in Quadrant, a quarterly Australian literary publication, which said it was a shame the attack did not happen in the ABC’s Ultimo television studios.
The article has since been taken down, and an apology sent to the ABC by Quadrant editor Keith Windschuttle.
The Member for Hawkesbury and NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet has contributed to Quadrant in the past, and he said he took a dim view of the article.
“Mr Franklin's comments were abhorrent, and by the time they had been brought to my attention, I understand he had withdrawn them and apologised,” Mr Perrottet said.
The Gazette asked Mr Perrottet whether he would consider ending his association with the publication, and he said he would not.
"Those comments do not represent the long and distinguished history of Quadrant, and it is absurd to suggest that anyone who has contributed to the publication in the course of its history should now disavow their association with it,” he said.
"I will always defend the fundamental right to freedom of expression, and that includes using free speech to condemn stupid and abhorrent statements made by others, rather than simply silencing them with the blunt force of the law."
Mr Perrottet is on the record in The Gazette as saying one of the great things about Australia is the ability to settle differences without resorting to violence.
“...we live in a country where you can have some robust and heated debate in parliament, but that is where it is left,” he said in February, shortly after becoming Treasurer.
