‘I was absolutely appalled’ McCarthy calls out camp attack

The Minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy, made a statement in the Senate on Thursday condemning the neo-Nazis who attacked a sacred Indigenous site in Melbourne during the anti-immigration rally in the city on Sunday.

When asked by the ABC if such groups should be classified as domestic terrorists, she responded:

“I certainly understand the calls by certain groups across the country.

“When I got the call late on Sunday night about what had happened at Camp Sovereignty, I was absolutely appalled.

“This week has shown, even in the Senate, just how emotional the weekend has been, certainly for those who were at Camp Sovereignty and also those who were deeply hurt, both physically and mentally.

“So, what’s happening now is that there have been charges laid. We know that a court case will be underway. So, I’m being very careful with what I say because the last thing I want to do is give any advantage to those who may be at the centre of this.

ABC presenter Patricia Karvelas asked the minister if the way the police dealt with the issue was correct, after Senator Lidia Thorpe has raised the question.

Camp Sovereignty

“Well, Senator Thorpe would know, given she’s got very close relationships. It’s her uncle, Robbie Thorpe, who’s at Camp Sovereignty and thanks to Senator Thorpe, I certainly had a discussion with her and also spoke to Uncle Robbie as well,” Senator McCarthy said.

“I am very mindful of these concerns that are being raised. I immediately sought from the Victorian Government an understanding of what was going on on Monday.

“This was before the charges were laid and I certainly emphasised the importance for the First Nations community in Victoria, in particular there at Camp Sovereignty, to be well informed and for this to occur as soon as it could and for information to come out.

“Because the calls I was getting and continue to get, whether it’s in social media, whether it’s to my office or just personal calls, is people are afraid. People are angry but they’re more fearful. And we’ve got to be mindful that that is still the feeling out there.”