PM Transcripts

7,; i
ACTING PRIME MINISTER
STATEMENT BY THE ACTING PRIME MINISTER, THE HON KIM BEAZLEY MP
AMANDA VANSTONE AND DR GOEBBELS
It might have been hoped that Senator Vanstone would realise that her vilification
of the Prime Minister by an extended, pseudo-scientific comparison with Goebbels,
the infamous Nazi propaganda chief, anti-Semite and mass murderer was a
serious error of judgement. Instead, she has chosen today to repeat her
disgraceful attack.
Apart from its absurdity, Senator Vanstone's speech on Monday was deeply
offensive to Australia's Jewish community because it had the effect of trivialising
the unspeakable horrors of the Nazi era, She and apparently John Howard, who
has endorsed her behaviour are unable to distinguish between the vigorous
rough and tumble of Australian democratic life and the vicious, inhumane and
genocidal politics of Nazi Germany.
Nothing could more clearly underline how desperately out of touch with reality the
Liberals are, or how profoundly oblivious they are to the sensitivities of
Australians. Senator Vanstone's behaviour is the more reprehensible for being so
far from the balance, moderation and judgement which people have the right to
expect in a Shadow Attorney-General.
Senator Vanstone's speech has deservedly brought condemnation from t Jewish
community, which has asked her to acknowledge the offensiveness of her
statements. Her response has been to repeat them.
I call upon Senator Vanstone to apologise for the deep offence she has caused to
all Australians and in particular to those who were victims of Nazi atrocities.
I1 IJanuary 1996e