Community wants ‘anti-Muslim’ councillor out
An online petition has called on the Victorian Government to investigate Latrobe City Councillor Christine Sindt, following “anti-Muslim” outbursts.
A man from Morwell, in Victoria’s east, David Hollis, started the petition and has demanded Local Government Minister Natalie Hutchins to intervene.
He said he is disgusted in Cr Sindt’s behaviour, including “anti-Muslim outbursts” on her Facebook page.
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“There were a slather of posts that were totally inappropriate,” his petitions reads.
“It really is time for the Minister and other authorities to intervene.
“Muslim people in the Latrobe Valley are seriously threatened and intimidated, this cannot continue.”
Cr Sindt’s page, which has more than 500 likes, shows pictures of her at the Reclaim Australia rally, PRIME7 reported.
It is also filled with anti Islamic comments, including a picture calling for Australians to “pick a side.”
PRIME7 also reported that she linked a YouTube video that states “Islam is not for me.”
The video includes the lines, “Islam is a mind-control and information controlled cult.”
“Founded by a murder, a torturer, rapist and pedophile called Mohammed.”
Councillor Sindt told PRIME7 she stood by all the comments she had made.
“There is no need for an investigation.”
She has called for an investigation into Islam, but couldn’t say who should do that.
A spokeswoman for Local Government Minister Natalie Hutchins said there’s is little the state can do.
“The next step in situations like this is for the council to decide if the councillor has breached their code of conduct,” the spokeswoman said.
“They then must decide whether or not to refer it to a councillor conduct panel. The state cannot sack a single councillor, the entire council would have to be dissolved.
“Free speech is important but so is respect for our multicultural communities. Racial or religious-based attacks won’t be tolerated.
“Cr Sindt is an elected representative and needs to behave like one.”
It appears that the photos on Cr Sindt’s Facebook page have been removed.