The B’nai B’rith Anti-Defamation Commission (ADC), Australia’s leading civil rights organisation fighting hatred in all its forms, has condemned the statements made by Kurt Tucker, President of the University of QLD’s Liberal Nationals Club, a member of the Young Nationals and UQ Academic Board Member. On a Facebook post Mr Tucker wrote that if these were the 1930s, he would be a member of the Nazi Party since at that time, in order to succeed in politics, one had to join the party, and as a political person, he would do what was necessary to get ahead. Following the ADC’s media release and subsequent coverage, Mr Tucker resigned from all his positions in the LNP.
Dr Dvir Abramovich, Chairman of the Anti-Defamation Commission, issued the following statement:
“Clearly, Holocaust trivialization and abuse have hit a new low with the repugnant and sickening statements by Mr Tucker. These ugly remarks are deeply hurtful and show an utter lack of respect to Holocaust survivors, and to all Australian soldiers who fought bravely and sacrificed their lives to end the evil regime of a butcherous dictator with a “Final Solution” to eradicate an entire race. It is outrageous that any leader of a political club would openly and cynically declare that in order to move ahead in politics, he would be happy to be part of the Nazi party, whose racist and warped ideology led to the systematic extermination of six million Jews and millions of others. One wonders what vile Nazi core principles Mr Tucker would embrace as a member of the National Society Party? The death camps? The gas chambers? The mass shootings of men, women and children? The death marches? The horrific executions of the Roma, the mentally handicapped, homosexuals and others? His comments are an affront to all Australians, and stand in the most stark contrast imaginable to the Australian values of equality, democracy and non-discrimination. We hope that Mr. Tucker will reflect on his disturbing words, and the tremendous pain that he has caused, apologise, and refrain in the future from cheapening and mocking the memory of the victims by using rhetoric that demeans our political and public discourse. We also call on members in the LNP to publicly rebuke Mr Tucker before any further harm is caused to the values and reputation of the party, and to consider whether he should continue with his leadership responsibilities.“
For further information please contact Dr Dvir Abramovich on 9272 5677.