By Cam Lucadou-Wells
A Federal election candidate’s racist comments targeting “Sudanese gangs” have been condemned by community leaders and candidates.
When surveyed on community safety by Star Journal, Fraser Anning National Conservatives candidate Tim Boyanton turned his focus on the “huge problem with migrant crime in this region, in particular Sudanese gangs”.
The Bruce candidate urged Victoria Police to make arrests and put a swift end to the “common violent outbursts”, and for a future Federal Government to cease “importing Third World migrants into the country”.
“The real issue is that both major parties continue to push an indiscriminate immigration policy.”
Deng Kur, spokesperson for Federation of South Sudanese Associations in Victoria, said he had a “terrible” reaction to reading the statement.
Mr Kur said he was confident that the wider community would not stand for Mr Boyanton’s views.
“There’s no place for this type of behaviour in this society.
“For a wealthy and beautiful nation like Australia, there’s no place for leadership to target minority groups.
“There’s no single reason.”
Centre for Multicultural Youth chief executive Carmel Guerra said many in the Sudanese and South Sudanese communities made significant contributions to society in little time.
They were “wholeheartedly” welcomed and supported by members of government and the wider community, Ms Guerra said.
“From our work with young people and families from African backgrounds in Dandenong, we know that the safety and prosperity of the local community is very important to everyone.
“CMY … believes there is no place for ill-informed, divisive voices in the community.”
Bruce Labor MP Julian Hill said Victorians “soundly rejected the politics of race and fear” at the State Election.
“And I am sure will do so again on May 18.
“Australia got rid of racist immigration policies in the 1970s. We should never bring them back, and I will never play race politics in our community.
“The fact is, crime in Greater Dandenong is at the lowest levels since 2014 and we should work together to further improve things. The minority of people who do the wrong thing should be dealt with.”
Greens candidate Rhonda Garad said local crime statistics and stats on perceptions of safety didn’t support Mr Boyanton’s claims
“The Sudanese community make up only 0.16% of the population and are not represented in the top groups perpetrating crime in Victoria.
“The issue of ‘Sudanese Gangs’ has been conflated by people like Fraser Anning to fit with their
political agenda.
“Their purpose is to invent a crisis that does not exist to give them a platform to promote hatred and division.”
