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Labor election pamphlet a ‘thinly veiled racist attack’ Labor election pamphlet a ‘thinly veiled racist attack’
(6 months later)
The South Australian Labor party has been accused of racism over an election pamphlet aimed at Liberal candidate Carolyn Habib in the marginal Adelaide seat of Elder.The South Australian Labor party has been accused of racism over an election pamphlet aimed at Liberal candidate Carolyn Habib in the marginal Adelaide seat of Elder.
The pamphlet features the image of a crumbling brick wall and stamped lettering spelling out “Can you trust Habib?” The content criticises the Liberal party’s health, council rates and transport policies.The pamphlet features the image of a crumbling brick wall and stamped lettering spelling out “Can you trust Habib?” The content criticises the Liberal party’s health, council rates and transport policies.
Habib told ABC radio on Wednesday morning that the leaflet was a “thinly veiled racist attack” targeting her Lebanese heritage. Habib told ABC radio on Wednesday morning that the leaflet was a “thinly veiled racist attack” targeting her Lebanese heritage.
She said she was surprised that “somebody would stoop to this level to win the seat” in Saturday’s state election.She said she was surprised that “somebody would stoop to this level to win the seat” in Saturday’s state election.
“I grew up in Alice Springs, I was born in Alice Springs and everyone who has met me knows how Australian I am,” Habib said.“I grew up in Alice Springs, I was born in Alice Springs and everyone who has met me knows how Australian I am,” Habib said.
“I am really surprised this has come in and it’s just such a low. We should be talking about things that are important to the community, not feeding into a racist attack.”“I am really surprised this has come in and it’s just such a low. We should be talking about things that are important to the community, not feeding into a racist attack.”
An electoral redistribution in August 2012 left the Labor-held seat of Elder with a margin of just 1.7%, down from 3.7%.An electoral redistribution in August 2012 left the Labor-held seat of Elder with a margin of just 1.7%, down from 3.7%.
South Australian premier Jay Weatherill said the Liberal party should go to the electoral commission if it had a complaint.South Australian premier Jay Weatherill said the Liberal party should go to the electoral commission if it had a complaint.
Labor campaign spokesman Tom Koutsantonis told the ABC he did not think the pamphlet was racist and the leaflet was attacking Habib’s local government experience.Labor campaign spokesman Tom Koutsantonis told the ABC he did not think the pamphlet was racist and the leaflet was attacking Habib’s local government experience.
“Racism is abhorrent and I know because it’s been targeted at me and I can tell you that this is not a racist attack,” he said.“Racism is abhorrent and I know because it’s been targeted at me and I can tell you that this is not a racist attack,” he said.
“I don’t think anyone in the Labor party thinks that Mrs Habib’s ethnicity in any way has any impact on her ability to run for parliament.”“I don’t think anyone in the Labor party thinks that Mrs Habib’s ethnicity in any way has any impact on her ability to run for parliament.”
Earlier on Wednesday the opposition leader, Steven Marshall, described the flyer as “disgraceful” and said he thought it was a shot at Habib’s surname.Earlier on Wednesday the opposition leader, Steven Marshall, described the flyer as “disgraceful” and said he thought it was a shot at Habib’s surname.
“It makes no reference to her Christian name whatsoever, there’s a big headline regarding Habib with a very unattractive layout for that brochure,” Marshall told News Corp Australia.“It makes no reference to her Christian name whatsoever, there’s a big headline regarding Habib with a very unattractive layout for that brochure,” Marshall told News Corp Australia.
“It’s a dog whistle, it’s completely outrageous that the government would use this type of material. There is no place for racism in SA politics, there’s no place for racism in Australia.”“It’s a dog whistle, it’s completely outrageous that the government would use this type of material. There is no place for racism in SA politics, there’s no place for racism in Australia.”