This is no time for hate: Newman

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This was published 9 years ago

This is no time for hate: Newman

By Amy Remeikis

A lone act undertaken by a lone criminal.

That is what Premier Campbell Newman wants Queenslanders to take away from the Sydney siege, as he called for the community to come together.

Calling the immediate future a time "for sympathy, for solidarity, for support", Mr Newman urged people to stand against hate, wherever they found it.

But he did not believe that bigots and the ignorant, such as the four Townsville men who made and displayed a racist sign on Tuesday following the siege, should be charged.

People lay flowers to pay respect to the shooting victims at a makeshift memorial at Martin Place in Sydney.

People lay flowers to pay respect to the shooting victims at a makeshift memorial at Martin Place in Sydney.Credit: AP/Steve Christo

"This is a democracy, we believe in free speech and I think that in circumstances, a legal approach is the way to go," he said.

"Again, my message to people is this is a great country, it is a great state – the way it remains a great place is if we all get on. Let's just get on with our lives, let's live our lives, let's reach out to one another, let's look beyond people's race or religion, as we always have, and then criminals like the deceased [gunman] in Sydney, don't win.

"So to the young people in Townsville, I would say put away your sign and go and work for a community group and go and do something productive in the community and learn about how you can be making a real contribution to the Townsville area. That would be a much better way to direct your energies.

"I just think it is not needed right now, that is the way I would put it. This is a time for us to come together as a community, not to engage in vigilantism or sort of crazy statements, it is about a community standing up and saying Australians embrace diversity, embrace people from around the world, we have always done that."

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Premier Campbell Newman.

Premier Campbell Newman.Credit: Glenn Hunt

But he welcomed the vigil planned by Brisbane's Muslim leaders this Saturday as a chance to show the community's support.

"The Muslim community in Queensland have the full support of this government and, I know, the broader community," he said.

"This act in Sydney has nothing to do with them or the things that they hold dear. And I thank the many Muslim leaders around the country and in Queensland who have made it very, very clear how much they abhor and reject this criminal act.

"I think it is great that they have arranged for this vigil on Saturday afternoon and evening, and the government will be sending representatives to that."

But signs of the siege, which occurred 900 kilometres away, will be present for the foreseeable future in Queensland, with an increased police and security presence set to remain for the foreseeable future.

"We are concerned about these sorts of actions occurring as we have (been) for many months," Mr Newman said.

"We will have all available officers out there at public venues such as the Test at the Gabba and around the streets and the suburbs of the cities and towns of Queensland."

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