An Australian politician has apologised for making a comment about people with Irish accents that has been branded 'racist' and 'offensive'.
Victoria's consumer affairs minister, Marlene Kairouz, was speaking at an awareness campaign about unlicensed tradesmen.
She warned homeowners not to open their door to 'anybody with an Irish accent' after complaints of scams by backpackers with British & Irish accents.
A warning to householders about a pest that thrives as we approach summer; travelling conmen. @Brett_McLeod #9News pic.twitter.com/JbREkJv8k0
— Nine News Melbourne (@9NewsMelb) October 30, 2017
She later took to Twitter, stating: "I sincerely apologise for causing offence and my poor choice of words".
Yesterday I made a comment at a scam awareness campaign launch that caused offence to people with Irish heritage 1/3
— Marlene Kairouz MP (@MarleneKairouz) October 31, 2017
Recent scammers have been backpackers from the UK & Ireland & I was giving this info to the public. I admit I delivered this msg poorly 2/3
— Marlene Kairouz MP (@MarleneKairouz) October 31, 2017
However, the apology drew its own raft of complaints - with some users calling for a televised apology instead.
You made those offensive remarks on TV so you should apologise on TV also. A person in a position such yours should’ve known better
— Jason Humphreys (@JasonHu55144266) October 31, 2017
