Senator, MP blasted over 'disgusting' Taliban tweets
A Nationals senator and a Victorian Liberal MP have been labelled “offensive” and “disgusting” for making inappropriate comments on Twitter about the Taliban seizing Afghanistan.
“Does anyone know when the Taliban will sign up to net zero?” Nationals Senator Matt Canavan tweeted on Monday as Afghanistan's capital city, Kabul, was overtaken by Taliban militants.
Victorian Liberal MP Edward O‘Donohue also tweeted about the situation, comparing Melbourne's newest lockdown rules to the Taliban on the verge of taking power in Kabul.
Mr O‘Donohue tweeted: “Melbourne follows Kabul in introducing a curfew. #springst", in relation to Victoria’s new 9pm to 5am curfew which was announced on Monday.
Slammed online for "offensive" tweets
The tweets were met with a barrage of complaints and criticism online, from people slamming the MPs for their "insensitive" and "offensive" tweets.
“This tweet is as disgusting as it is disrespectful on so many levels,” Victorian Trades Hall Council Secretary Luke Hilakari wrote.
"Insensitive, thoughtless, arrogant, immature, and having a good old laugh as men, women and children flee for their lives. AND a member of our federal government," The Project host Lisa Wilkinson tweeted.
"You are a national disgrace."
Disappointing, insensitive & unnecessary. To compare climate policy with the bloodshed on the streets of Kabul is out of place & unworthy of a member of the Australian Parliament. Our thoughts today should be for the Afghan people & the families of our brave fallen Diggers. pic.twitter.com/P0Y380tw6h
— Michael McCormack (@M_McCormackMP) August 16, 2021
“Disappointing, insensitive & unnecessary,” former deputy prime minister Michael McCormack tweeted at Senator Canavan.
“To compare climate policy with the bloodshed on the streets of Kabul is out of place & unworthy of a member of the Australian parliament.
"Our thoughts today should be for the Afghan people & the families of our brave fallen Diggers."
"Matt Canavan doesn’t speak for me," Nationals Gippsland MP Darren Chester said.
Matt Canavan doesn’t speak for me. This tweet is offensive, disrespectful and totally lacking in any compassion for the 41 brave Australians who lost their lives, the families who grieve for them, the 39,000 Australians who served in this conflict, and the people of Afghanistan. pic.twitter.com/P6voSN34Hw
— Darren Chester MP (@DarrenChesterMP) August 16, 2021
"This tweet is offensive, disrespectful and totally lacking in any compassion for the 41 brave Australians who lost their lives, the families who grieve for them, the 39,000 Australians who served in this conflict, and the people of Afghanistan."
"On the very day that thousands of Australians are distraught, sleepless, crying for family at risk in Afghanistan, this Government Senator makes a joke about the Taliban," Federal Member for Bruce Julian Hill said.
"That says everything about the character of @mattjcan and what kind of man he is."
On the very day that thousands of Australians are distraught, sleepless, crying for family at risk in Afghanistan, this Government Senator makes a joke about the Taliban.
That says everything about the character of @mattjcan and what kind of man he is.#auspol #Afghanishtan https://t.co/oaODtLULmg— Julian Hill MP (@JulianHillMP) August 16, 2021
Taliban storms Afghan capital
Taliban insurgents entered the capital Kabul on Sunday as President Ashraf Ghani fled Afghanistan saying he wanted to avoid bloodshed, bringing the Islamist militants close to taking over the country two decades after they were overthrown by a US-led invasion.
Kabul was the last city not controlled by the terrorist group, who have been taking over the worn-torn country for months.
Thousands of people are now desperately trying to flee the country.
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