A North East mayor has called for Liberal MP Craig Kelly to resign or be severely disciplined over a “racist” and “fear-mongering” suggestion to divide the border.
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On Saturday Mr Kelly, the NSW chairman of parliament’s joint committee on law enforcement, said a sign should be erected on the NSW-Victoria border warning residents they are “50 per cent more likely” to be the victim of car theft.
Indigo Shire mayor Jenny O’Connor said the comments were “nonsensical and just plain stupid”.
She said they also had the potential to damage the economies of struggling regional towns.
“It’s fear-mongering at its worst,” Ms O’Connor said.
“It’s a cheap political attempt to create an issue based in fear and racism – it is utterly unacceptable.”
Mr Kelly quoted the latest data from the National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council, which indicates 16,599 cars were stolen in Victoria between October 2016 and September 2017, compared to 12,209 last year.
He did not mention that the number of car thefts in NSW had increased by two per cent in the time frame, while the Victorian figure reflected a 12 per cent reduction on 2016.
“It is possible that NSW motorists will need special insurance cover if they plan to drive across the border into the badlands of Victoria,” Mr Kelly told The Australian.
Ms O’Connor said someone with Mr Kelly’s position should behave responsibly.
“He doesn’t deserve to be in parliament as an elected representative,” she said.
“If politicians are going to use their position to create hatred and fear they don’t deserve to be in that position.
“I think any member of the government actively working to disadvantage the economy of a rural town should be severely reprimanded.”
Ms O’Connor said the “inappropriate, undignified and detrimental comments” could severely impact the shire.
“It could directly affect one of the main economic drivers of Indigo shire, which is tourism,” she said.
“He is actively working to disadvantage communities like Indigo Shire and it’s an outrage.”
Member for Benambra Bill Tilley was not interested in commenting on the issue.
A spokesman said Mr Tilley had faith in the hardworking police.
Wodonga mayor Anna Speedie did not respond to request for comment.
Digital journalists with The Border Mail.
Digital journalists with The Border Mail.
