The Tasmanian Greens called on Premier Hodgman to join them in condemning the small-minded, xenophobic comments of PUP Senator Jacqui Lambie and the unlikely support given to her by Federal Liberal Member for Braddon, Brett Whiteley around Australians wearing burqas.
Greens Multicultural Affairs spokesperson, Cassy O'Connor MP, said that Senator Lambie's comments about burquas were offensive and bigoted, but Mr Whiteley's support was more concerning.
"The Liberal Member for Braddon's sympathy towards Senator Lambie's xenophobic views are alarming, and I would hope that Liberal Premier Hodgman has the sense to distance the Tasmanian government from his Federal colleague's views." Ms O'Connor said.
"What is more concerning and dangerous than an individual's choice of garb, is the insensitivity and ignorance of members of the Palmer United and Liberal parties."
"While Mr Whiteley has not supported Senator's Lambie's use of the image of assassinated Afghani policewoman, Malalai Kakur, he has not condemned it either. And in fact, has fuelled the fire by agreeing with its sentiment."
"Tasmania has a growing multicultural community, which we should be doing our all to encourage to flourish. The comments from Tasmania's two parliamentarians are alarming, and can easily incite serious racial intolerance," Ms O'Connor said.