New South Wales police arrested a man yesterday who allegedly posted racist comments on Facebook aimed outgoing Northern Territory Labour senator Nova Peris.
The man, 64-year-old Chris Nelson, from Woy Woy on the NSW Central Coast is a chiropractor and osteopath, claims his account was hacked.
He has been charged with using a carriage service to cause offence according to the ABC.
Nelson was a member of the Liberal Party’s NSW division however the party has since confirmed that he has since been stripped of his membership.
The shocking comments were aimed at Peris, Australia’s first female indigenous federal politician, who just days ago announced her retirement, who shared them to her Facebook page in an attempt to highlight the racism she faces, sharing them alongside the comments: “#Racism — It stops with me.”
“Nova F— off. You were only endorsed by Juliar because you were a black c—,” one of the comments read.
“Go back to the bush and suck on witchity grubs and yams. Stop painting your f—ing face with white s— in parliament. Other than being a runner you are nothing.”
After the story went viral, Peris released a statement, saying “No one has the right to make anyone else feel threatened or discriminated against.”
“I’m sure I share the views of millions of other proud Australians, in that we should pride ourselves on being respectful towards all of our differences as fellow Australians,” she continued. “As long as there is racism in any part of society, I will continue to call it out and fight against it.
Following the incident an online petition was set up calling for NSW police to investigate and it has attracted thousands of signatures.
Nelson will appear back in Gosford local court next month.
Source: ABC
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