By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
A GREENS MP has slammed Casey Councillor Rosalie Crestani for her involvement in this month’s Reclaim Australia rally.
Cr Crestani was the MC for the Reclaim Australia city rally on Saturday 18 July, which turned violent when anti-Islam and anti-racism groups attempted to clash across police lines.
Addressing the rally, Cr Crestani said: “Freedom of religion does not mean we accept the fundamental ideas of Islam, which do not allow for other religions. So that is why Islam needs reforming or it needs to leave Australia”.
South Eastern Metropolitan state Greens MP Nina Springle said Cr Crestani should be “condemned” for participating in the rally on behalf of Reclaim Australia.
“Given the great contribution that generations of migrants have made to Australia, it is sad that Cr Crestani saw fit to participate in this way,” Ms Springle said.
“Her participation must be condemned in the strongest terms.
“Fear and misunderstanding are the enemies of Australia’s peaceful, harmonious and multicultural way of life.”
Ms Springle said the Reclaim Australia movement “encourages racism and fear of difference.”
“All political leaders – including local councillors – should be protecting their communities from vilification and isolation,” she said.
“Leaders should be helping people to overcome their misplaced fears about different cultures and religions.”
Cr Crestani hit back at the comments, claiming Ms Springle was showing “gross ignorance”.
“Why would a daughter of an immigrant support reclaim if she didn’t feel strongly about wanting security and safety in Australia?” Cr Crestani said.
“And that’s what my presence there was for.
“And if she (Ms Springle) did her homework, she would see half the attendees were migrants, they just want Australia to be free from terrorism and free from the effects of Marxism and to maintain our culture.”
Cr Crestani distanced herself and Reclaim Australia from some of the more extreme right-wing protesters, including a man with Nazi tattoos who joined the anti-Islam protesters.
She said if Reclaim is perceived as “racist” it was due to media coverage of the event and “not from our end”.
“There were a couple guys that stood up with swastikas, you’re going to get a few people that want to jeopardise your core message, we can’t help that,” she said.
Casey mayor Mick Morland last week said Cr Crestani’s views were not a reflection of council’s but noted it was her right to front the rally.
“I was surprised that she was fronting the rally but Rosalie is a person of her own convictions, and I know she did not advertise that she was from Casey Council, she was there as an individual and everyone has that right,” Cr Morland said.
“As an Australian, she has the right to speak her own mind and I applaud her for that, whether I agree with her views or not is a different thing.
“She did not represent the City of Casey, she represented herself.”
