Not impressed: Labor candidate Eric Kerr has hit out at Immigration Minister Peter Dutton over his climate change joke caught on a boom microphone.
Immigration Minister Peter Dutton can add a selection of Indi election candidates to the list of people from who he should not expect a Christmas card.
Labor Candidate for Indi Eric Kerr labelled a joke from Mr Dutton a disgrace after the minister was caught out by a boom microphone on Friday making comments about rising sea levels in Pacific Island nations.
Mr Dutton quipped that a late meeting was running to "Cape York time" and "time doesn't mean anything when you're about to have water lapping at your door”.
Footage showed Prime Minister Tony Abbott laughing at the joke before Immigration Minister Scott Morrison reminded the pair a boom microphone was recording the conversation.
“What an absolutely appalling comment to make, one that will surely not impress other nations in our region,” Mr Kerr said.
“It’s one thing to be part of a government largely made of climate change deniers not ready to take leadership on one of the key issues of our generation, but it’s another to then joke and poke fun at a crisis that is affecting many of our island neighbours.”
What an absolutely appalling comment to make, one that will surely not impress other nations in our region.
Mr Abbott had just returned from talks in Port Moresby that included the threat of rising sea levels in Pacific nations from climate change.
Mr Dutton apologised on Sunday to anyone who took offences to his comments during “a light-hearted discussion with the PM”.
“While Peter Dutton may find this matter laughable, those struggling against climate change and the impact it will have on their families, homes and livelihoods are not laughing and would find the minister’s comments deeply hurtful,” Mr Kerr said.
Cathy McGowan told The Border Mail she welcomed the apology, but said Mr Dutton was lacking in tact when making insinuations about indigenous people and climate change.
“It was totally inappropriate,” she said.
“It was so disappointing that the minister would say that.”
Ms McGowan said they were not the type of comments she or other politicians should be making and it was important that all Australians are “trying to be our best selves”.
Greens candidate Jenny O’Connor was one of the first to jump on Mr Dutton’s comments on Twitter, calling the minister a fool.
“What a pathetic bunch they are. An embarrassment to us all,” she said.
“I am so utterly embarrassed to be an Australian under this bunch of hopeless goons.”
Ms O’Connor critisised Mr Dutton for apologising if he caused offence, not for the comment itself.