Julian Leeser said Noel Pearson’s comments were “not the sort of debate” Voice advocates should be conducting after the Indigenous activist made comparisons between the Jewish MP and the policies of Nazi Germany.
Former shadow indigenous affairs minister Julian Leeser has condemned comments directed at him by Noel Pearson.
Last month Mr Leeser said it was a matter for the government to clarify the definition of Aboriginality prior to the referendum.
In response, Mr Pearson said he was “completely confounded” – before making comments which have drawn criticism given they were made when Mr Leeser was off commemorating Passover.
“I am wondering whether Julian expects us to wear a tattoo identifying ourselves as Indigenous,” Mr Pearson said.
“Or our clothes should be adorned with some kind of badge identifying us as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.”
In an interview with Sky News Australia, Mr Leeser expressed his disappointment at the remarks, especially given the time in which they occurred.
He added that those pushing the Yes case should do so in a civil manner.
“I was very disappointed in Noel’s claims. He made those remarks during Passover,” he told Chris Kenny on Tuesday.
“In fact the time he was making those remarks, I was taking my son to the synagogue. That’s not the sort of debate we should be conducting.
Read the report and watch the discussion on The Bolt Report.