Windsor calls for calm after death threats.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/03/02/3152798.htm


Windsor calls for calm after death threats

By Tim Leslie

Updated 43 minutes ago


Independent MP Tony Windsor has called for restraint from talkback radio hosts and fellow MPs amid an increasingly vitriolic debate about the Government's carbon tax plans.

The independent MP drew parallels with the recent shooting of US congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, warning violent political rhetoric and "abuse" on the airwaves could provoke a similar tragedy in Australia.

His comments came after he revealed he had received a number of death threats over the issue, and released a phone message which ended with: "I hope you die".

"You're a f..ing liar, a dog, a rat, a big f...ing MP dog... and you wait you're not going to get voted in again. I hope you die, you bastard," the caller said.

"All I'm saying is look, be careful we don't want to go down the American road. We've got a great democracy here, we can argue with each other without killing each other," Mr Windsor told ABC Radio National Breakfast.

"I think we saw instances in America recently where people were incited by various professional media people to hideous acts," he said.

"There should be substantive debates on substantive issues, not just slogans and one-liners and abuse on the airwaves. And I would hate something happen to someone in our parliamentary system and that would change it forever."

And he levelled a finger at conservative talkback radio hosts, saying they are orchestrating a campaign designed to bring the Government down.

"This is about eradicating the current Government, using the carbon pricing issue as the catalyst to attempt to get some sort of people's revolt, US-style revolt to overthrow the government," he said.

"I think the shock jocks and others are involved in an orchestrated campaign over the issue itself, but particularly they're targeting members of parliament that want to be involved in the substantive debates.

"I think if they keep running that line they may well have a self-fulfilling prophecy and incite people to do things they would never normally do."

Both the Government and the Opposition have ramped up their rhetoric on the issue, with Opposition MP Sophie Mirabella this morning comparing Prime Minister Julia Gillard to besieged Libyan leader Moamar Gaddafi.

"If Ms Gillard believes Australians want to pay higher electricity and higher petrol prices she is as deluded as Colonel 'my people love me' Gaddafi," she said.

"We've seen families are really struggling under increased costs of living."

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has distanced himself from Ms Mirabella's comments.

"I think that's a pretty colourful way of describing the Prime Minister, and it's not language I would normally use myself," he said.

"The point I make to all of my colleagues is that we have a case to argue, and it's important that we argue the case in ways which add lustre to our side and which make us a credible alternative government."

Nationals MP Darren Chester has called on all sides to calm down over the debate.

"I heard the comments that were made on Mr Windsor's phone and frankly I was appalled by them," he said.

"I call on everyone to take a cold shower in terms of the reaction to the debate.

"It is an emotional debate, it's an important debate ... but there is absolutely no place in Australia for the type of comments that were left on Tony Windsor's phone." Tweet